A personal list of favorite Super Bowls, which rewarded daring, exposed underachievers and thwarted Pittsburgh.

View full sizeAP file photoThere are always improbable Super Bowl heroes, but few were so clearly fortunate -- and able to turn that good luck into a personal fortune -- than Cowboys defensive back Larry Brown in Big Game XXX, says Bill Livingston.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- In Cleveland, Super Bowl Sunday once was a time for what-iffing and shoulda-beening. But it has been so long since the Browns regularly flirted with playing in the game with the Roman numerals that almost all fans here have to cling to is the nickname of Mike Holmgren, the latest czar of all Berea -- The Big Show.

So, when do the Browns get their ticket punched for the Show? Urging patience is an unpopular strategy.

One way, however, to turn that frown upside down is to focus on the moments when the haves had not and when Toto pulled the curtain back, exposing the great and powerful Oz.

That's the selection bias here, not necessarily resentment of Pittsburgh's Super Bowl XLV-bound "Stillers," as their fans term them. (Those charmers also say "you'uns" -- pronounced "yuns" -- because the dears have trouble grasping that the plural form of "you" is still, um, "you.")

Solely on a subjective basis, here's the list of my five favorite Super Bowls. (Heads up, Pittsburgh. Coming right at youns.)

1. Super Bowl XXX -- Cowboys 27, Steelers 17.

Why: It's the only Supe the Steelers have lost. Also, it was the most ridiculous example of pure, dumb luck ever. Although Pittsburgh dominated the second half, beginning with a surprise onside kick recovery, this was remembered ever after as the Neil O'Donnell giveaway game.

The never-to-be-forgotten Stiller QB twice hit Dallas defensive back Larry Brown, who was not only open, but was the only man in the same zip code, for timely interceptions. It was said that Brown won the game's Most Valuable Player award for finding a $50 bill on the sidewalk.

Also memorable: Al Davis, that sharpie, signed Brown to a huge free-agent contract in the off-season. Unable to face O'Donnell consistently, Brown proved to be a huge bust. And who can forget "Neon Deion" Sanders, augering himself into the turf, rather than try to actually hit Steeler monsterback Bam Morris?

2. Super Bowl XLII -- Giants 17, Patriots 14.

Why: Truth, justice and a favorable spin of Fortune's wheel spoiled Bill Belichick and the Pats' perfect season. Eli Manning, who was almost, but not quite, in the grasp of a tackler, slithered away and threw the ball that little-known David Tyree caught with his helmet, setting up the last-minute winning touchdown.

Also memorable: It was the season when Eric Mangini blew the whistle on the Patriots' illegal spying. On the Pats' last possession, Tom Brady's long pass that would have put New England in tying field goal range was one foot beyond the reach of sometimes slacker Randy Moss, who didn't lay out for the ball.

3. Super Bowl III -- Jets 16, Colts 7.

Why: The Delts beat the Omegas. Never was anyone so praised for leading a team to one touchdown as was Joe Namath. The game validated the AFL and probably put Namath in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, despite a horrendous 173-220 career TDs to interceptions ratio. Possibly Baltimore's Earl Morrall was channeling his inner Broadway Joe. He still hasn't seen Jimmy Orr, open in the end zone.

Also memorable: The upset established the notoriety of oddsmaker Jimmy "The Greek" Snyder, who installed the Colts as 18-point favorites. It showed that people don't have to be that good at what they did anymore in America. On a big-enough stage, colorful, epic ineptitude worked just as well.

4. Super Bowl XLIV -- Saints 31, Colts 17.

Why: Football is a big-game, peak-experience sport. As was the case with Peyton Manning in college at Tennessee, in the pros, too, his big-game record is one of resounding underachievement. The pick-six he threw clinched the upset for the Saints, who, post-Katrina, were the real America's team. The uh-oh toss also gave Manning a 9-9 record in the playoffs. It's now 9-10.

Also memorable: Sean Payton outcoached Indy's Jim Caldwell as widely as Bill Cowher did to Barry Switzer in Super Bowl XXX. The Saints even recovered a second-half surprise onside kick too. This time, creativity and aggression were rewarded.

5. Super Bowl IV -- Chiefs 23, Vikings 7

Why: Conclusively proved the Jets' victory the year before was no fluke and that AFL coaches were ahead of their NFL counterparts in creativity. It further showed that short-sighted Browns owner Art Modell, by accepting $3 million to leave the soon-to-be-named NFC for the AFC in the coming pro football merger, was sallying forth on his biggest "d'oh" moment since the Bobby Mitchell trade. The path to the Super Bowl was exponentially harder in the stronger AFC.

Also memorable: Miked for sound Chiefs coach Hank Stramm, inventing a new meaning for the word "matriculate" by babbling, "Keep matriculatin' the ball down the field, boys."

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If there's any good news about long losing streaks, it might be this: The specifics vanish over time.

View full sizePat Sullivan / Associated PressBryant Reeves and the Vancouver Grizzlies found very little success in their 15-67 season of 1995-96.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Here's what Byron Scott remembers most about the NBA single-season record 23-game losing streak he went through as a player with the inaugural Vancouver Grizzlies team in 1995-96:

It wasn't the only long one.

"We had two losing streaks," the Cavaliers coach recalled. "We won our first two and then we lost 19 in a row."

The Cavs, of course, tied the team record for consecutive losses in one season -- 19 -- with Friday's loss to Denver. A loss Sunday at Orlando will set a new team standard and bring them closer to that league record -- not to mention the 24 defeats over two seasons set by the Cavs from March 19 to Nov. 5, 1982, when they lost the last 19 games of the 1981-82 season and the first five of 1982-83.

If there's any good news about losing that much, it might be this: The specifics vanish over time.

"I don't remember a whole lot about it," Scott said of the streak that lasted from Feb. 16-April 2, 1986. (Denver tied that record by losing 23 straight games from Dec. 9, 1997-Jan. 23, 1998.) "What I do remember is that we were involved in that losing streak, but most of those games were pretty close. We just couldn't get over the hump playing against better basketball teams."

Indeed, the average margin of defeat in the 23 games was 11.6 points, but take away two blowout losses -- by 26 points at Denver and 32 points at Golden State -- and the average margin of defeat was 10 points.

Earlier this season, Scott, who was used to winning after capturing three titles with the Los Angeles Lakers, told reporters that in order to cope with the losing, he started drinking beer -- Coors Lights -- for the first time in his life.

Brian Winters laughed when he heard that story. "I drank beer long before that," he said.

But Winters wasn't used to losing, either. He played eight of his nine seasons in the league with the Milwaukee Bucks, making the playoffs six times. He was a longtime assistant to Lenny Wilkens, including from 1986-93 in Cleveland, where the Cavs put together their best teams prior to the LeBron James era.

Vancouver was his first head coaching job, and he wishes now he'd waited for another one.

"I knew taking the job that it would be a very difficult job, and it was," said Winters, now a scout for the Indiana Pacers. "If I have a regret it would be taking that job because it was so difficult and what it did as far as my record."

But, like Scott, Winters has forgotten most of the specifics.

"It's never easy to go through it," he said. "We were an expansion team with one-third of the salary cap. We were under-talented and under-funded right from the get-go.

"But I don't have any specific memories of it. The only thing I'll say is whenever you go through any kind of winning streak or losing streak, the NBA is full of games that are one-, two- or three-possession games at the end. The good teams find a way to win them, and the poor teams find a way to lose them -- whether it's a big shot, big rebound, loose ball, a foul, mental error, whatever it is. When you're going bad, you find a way to lose one in another fashion."

Oddly enough, neither Scott nor Winters actually remembered the game that ended the streak -- a 105-103 victory over Minnesota on April 3, 1996. The Grizzlies were playing on the second night of a back-to-back, coming home after a loss at 101-85 loss at Portland the previous night. Rookie Bryant "Big Country" Reeves scored 28 points to end the Grizzlies' misery -- at least temporarily.

Winters' most striking memory of the season was beating visiting Seattle, featuring coach George Karl and All-Stars Gary Payton and Shawn Kemp, 94-93, on Dec. 19 in the fourth game in five nights.

"I was somewhat shocked," Winters recalled. But mostly, the whole season is a blur, a sort of defense mechanism that will come in handy for the Cavs and their fans.

"When you go through a bad patch, you try to forget that as soon as you can and move on," he said. "If you dwell on it too long, you'll drive yourself crazy."

The Monsters (24-21-3-4) have won three in a row and are in third place in the Western Conference North Division.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The sizzling Monsters and their goal-scoring machine, Mark Olver, were at it again Saturday night.

Olver's tally early in the third period triggered a 4-1 victory over the Hamilton Bulldogs at The Q. A crowd of 11,132 created an electric, old-time-hockey atmosphere. Fans watching on TV also had the opportunity to watch one of Lake Erie's most complete games of the season.

The Monsters (24-21-3-4) have won three in a row and are in third place in the Western Conference North Division. They defeated the division-leading Bulldogs twice in three days, including 2-1 on Thursday in Hamilton.

The Bulldogs (27-15-1-4) are one point ahead of Manitoba and four clear of Lake Erie.

"I've liked our team since day one, and I couldn't be happier with the progress we've made," Monsters coach David Quinn said. "Our work ethic has been outstanding. We've had a great month; obviously, you want to end it the way we did."

The Monsters were 10-6 in January, including 8-2 since Jan. 14.

At 1:07 of the third, Olver sliced down the left edge of the slot and went top shelf to beat goalie Curtis Sanford for a 2-1 advantage. Monsters winger Justin Mercier, having sped through the slot ahead of Olver, set up the play.

Olver, a rookie center, has nine goals in his last 10 games and 20 goals in 47 games overall.

"It's easy to score goals when your team's playing so well," Olver said.

Thursday in Hamilton, Olver lit the lamp midway through the third to give Lake Erie the 2-1 lead. Beyond his ability to put the puck in the net, Olver is a royal pain to the opposition, constantly disrupting its flow with tenacity and physicality.

Olver is scheduled to take part in Sunday's AHL All-Star festivities (skills competition) and Monday (game) in Hershey, Pa.

"Mark is going to the All-Star Game for a reason," Quinn said. "He has great individual skills, and he works hard. He has a bright future."

The Monsters created a two-goal cushion at 9:56 when Ben Walter banked the puck off Sanford's pads from an ultra-tight angle on the right. Sanford (34 saves) entered with an AHL-leading .940 save percentage.

Walter's goal came on the power play. The Monsters were 2-for-6 with the man-advantage. Patrick Rissmiller notched an empty-netter in the final minute for the final margin. Rissmiller finished with two goals.

Goalie John Grahame (18 saves) earned his 13th victory.

The Monsters held a 38-19 advantage in shots. They out-shot Hamilton, 25-10, through two periods but the score was tied, 1-1.

The Monsters are 3-0 against Hamilton at The Q this season. They have outscored the Bulldogs, 12-2 in those games.

Among the guests in attendance were Indians Shin-Soo Choo, Michael Brantley, Tony Sipp and Matt LaPorta and manager Manny Acta. The players signed autographs in the concourse before the game while Acta was busy meeting and greeting. Choo participated in the ceremonial puck drop.

Lake Erie, off for the All-Star break, does not play again until Friday against San Antonio at The Q.

Taking a quick tour through the Association.

View full sizeGus Ruelas / Associated PressDon't tell the Lakers' Andrew Bynum (17, against Utah's Gordon Hayward) that regular-season games are meaningless when the Boston Celtics come to town.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Taking a quick tour through the Association:

It's a biggie: Lakers center Andrew Bynum is eagerly awaiting Sunday's game against the visiting Boston Celtics, Boston's first time back in Los Angeles since losing in the NBA Finals last June.

"It's a big game for us, especially since we haven't been doing well against teams over .500 this year (8-6)," he told the NBA TV crew last week. "It's a huge game and with them coming back here, they are going to be angry. They made some additions to get back at us for the (2009-10) championship last year. It's going to be tough, and it's going to mean a lot. I'm looking forward to it. I'm excited."

No Love: TNT announcer Charles Barkley was upset that fans voted Denver's Carmelo Anthony into the starting lineup for the Western Conference All-Stars.

"The best offensive player in the NBA is Carmelo Anthony," Barkley said when the teams were announced. "I've got to tell you something, Carmelo Anthony is a better player than some of those guys [in the West], but I don't think he deserves to start in the All-Star Game. Kevin Love or Blake Griffin deserve to start. If both of those guys don't make the All-Star team, that's a travesty. Carmelo Anthony is a better player, but I think on-the-court performance this year ... Kevin Love deserves it."

More Love: What did Minnesota's Love learn from his uncle, musician Mike Love?

"My uncle Mike was always on the road with the Beach Boys," Love reveals in an NBA TV special, "24 Hours with Kevin Love," airing at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday. "Still, to this day, he always has to have a chef. I think that he has had a chef now for 20-plus years, so my aunt Jacqueline, his wife, and he came out here and found Isaac [Kevin's chef] for me.

"I tried out different chefs and I put them through my routine. One of my favorite meals that my mom makes is Fettuccini Alfredo and everyone had to make it. Isaac made it, did it the best, and now, three years later, Isaac is still here."

Work of art? Ron Artest was the focus of an art exhibit in Toronto last month.

Steve Manale, a Toronto artist and Raptors season ticket holder, organized the show entitled, "Lovable Badass, Artists on Artest." There were 32 pieces by 28 artists on display at the Narwhal Art Projects in everything from paint and ink to knitting and wood. Guests were served peanut butter cookies (Artest's favorite) and Hennessy cognac, which Artest admitted drinking at halftime of Bulls games.

Artest was nervous, but he showed up.

"I didn't want to go," he told Billy Witz of FSWest for FoxSports.com. "I wanted to sleep. But I kept thinking about it and I'm like, 'You know what? How many chances do you get in your life to be in an exhibit -- and you're still living.' It's kind of crazy. It was crazy."

Old soul: When Utah's Al Jefferson was a rookie in Boston, coach Doc Rivers gave him a DVD of Moses Malone to study.

"I've still got that DVD to this day," Jefferson told Brian T. Smith of the Salt Lake Tribune. "I watched it, and I was like, 'Wow.' He reminded me of myself. Ain't too many people out here in the league right now that kind of got that old-school game like I have it. It kind of makes me feel good. I'm a unique player. Everybody, when they hear my name, they know what type of game I got."

Rookie report

The Boston Celtics have gone from starting one of the most legendary centers in the history of the NBA, Shaquille O'Neal, to ... Semih Erden?

Yes, Erden, a 7-0, 240-pounder from Turkey who was the 60th and final pick in the 2008 draft and who played in Turkey until this season. The 24-year-old has been pressed into service since O'Neal and teammate Jermaine O'Neal have been out of the lineup. Boston is 5-1 in his six starts, including last Tuesday's against the Cavs. He is averaging 4.3 points and 3.1 rebounds.

"He's a good player, a young player," Boston coach Rivers told reporters. "What he's learning from us is that there's a level of intensity that you have to play with on every possession, every night. He's going to make mistakes, I don't care about when young guys make mistakes. I care more about focus."

The last word

From Denver coach George Karl, on the difference between high school, college and pro basketball:

"The biggest difference in a pro game is those eight extra minutes. It doesn't sound like a lot, but it is an incredible amount of time to overcome. Talent comes to the top in time. In 32 minutes, you can hide it. In 40 minutes, you can hide it a little bit. But in 48 minutes, it's tough to hide it."

It's another trip through the mailbag for Cavaliers beat writer Mary Schmitt Boyer.

View full sizeMary Ann Chastain / Associated PressWith fans busily anticipating a basket of ping-pong balls, at least one Cavaliers supporter is hoping for the arrival of Kentucky's talented freshman Terrence Jones.

Hey, Mary: Are the Cavs looking into Terrence Jones out of Kentucky? He is a freshman with a great/NBA-ready body, solid (not great) ball-handling skills, plays tenacious defense (greatly needed), good scorer (who is a lefty) and great rebounder. He is more finished than Perry Jones, and we need a SF more than a PG (even though I think Kyrie Irving is great as well.) -- Derek Vinkovich, Brecksville

Hey, Derek: I can assure you right now the Cavs are looking at every college player with any chance to make them better, and that certainly would include Jones if he decides to leave college. I also can assure you they won't tip their hands as to what their plans are.

Hey, Mary: What ever happened to Ricky Rubio? Any chance for the Cavaliers can push a trade for this international star? He would easily increase ticket sales, and maybe change our whole team around. Of course we will need to add other pieces around him as well. I can really see him as the center piece of our franchise. -- Mike Eadeh, Fairview Park

Hey, Mike: Ricky Rubio returned to Spain, but Minnesota still retains his NBA rights, and the Wolves are not going to give him up. He could be exactly what that team needs, too -- and he also will sell tickets in Minneapolis.

Hey, Mary: Dan Gilbert recently Tweeted: "You don't panic when things get tough. You think. You examine. You calculate. THEN you strike. And we will strike." Is it just me, or does that seem a little bit too Mafioso? Is "The Teflon Dan" just talking tough, or does he realistically have something up his sleeve? If so, what in the world could he possibly do right now to dramatically improve this team? -- Eric Sulzer, Columbus

Hey, Eric: I hear more of a pep talk. I think all he's trying to say is that the Cavs will plan a course of action and execute it. Frankly, as you suggest, there is nothing they can do right now to dramatically improve this team. As they have become fond of saying, "It's a process."

Hey, Mary: Personally, I appreciate the Cavs owner and like that he has been willing to spend on this team. However, I wonder about coach Byron Scott. Often you see coaches go through terrible seasons like we are having and then when the team turns around they get fired. Do you think Dan Gilbert will be patient with Byron Scott? -- Alan Wilson, Fredonia, Wis.

Hey, Alan: I think Dan Gilbert realizes that most of what has happened this season is not Byron Scott's fault so, yes, I think he'll be patient. If Scott's previous coaching stints in New Jersey and New Orleans are any indication, his teams start slowly and gradually improve -- especially when the talent improves. I don't think the Cavs are having any second thoughts.

Hey, Mary: I would like to begin by stating I agree with Dan Gilbert in the sense you can't make a trade through panic or your team stays bad. Given the roster and weighing the value of each player, who do you think should stay on the Cavs and who should be traded? -- Curtis Lehr, Brook Park

Hey, Curtis: The problem with your question is that it's one-sided. Because you or I, or Chris Grant, for that matter, think a player should be traded, there has to be another interested party. Right now their most valuable assets are Anderson Varejao, Daniel Gibson and J.J. Hickson, and the Cavs don't want to trade any of them. There are question marks like Christian Eyenga, Manny Harris and Samardo Samuels. Anthony Parker and Jamario Moon have expiring contracts, which always come in handy around trade time, but Antawn Jamison and Mo Williams don't, which makes them less likely to be moved.

Hey, Mary: What move that was made during the LeBron era set the Cavs back the most? Was Danny Ferry as good as we thought he was? By the way, I would really like to see an overview of Cavaliers personnel moves over the last 7-8 years and your analysis of their success, or other moves that could/should have been made. -- Brian Redmond, Solon

Hey, Brian: I'll get right on that. But hindsight is 20-20. It's much easier now to look back and say, "Well, that didn't work and here's why." For most of the seven years that LeBron James was here, the Cavs knew they were working on a deadline to surround him with enough talent to compete for a title and convince him to stay. In some ways, since they didn't win a title and he didn't stay, you could say none of those deals worked. But I give Danny Ferry a lot of credit for pulling off what he did. It was not for lack of effort by the front office that the Cavs didn't win.

Of all the moves, I'd say one of the first ones -- signing Larry Hughes (on the recommendation of James, by the way) -- was one of the biggest busts. He couldn't say healthy long enough to contribute, and he turned out to be a selfish guy worried mostly about himself. That being said, Ferry did well to get rid of him. Keep in mind, too, the Cavs don't operate in a vacuum. When they tried to obtain Shaquille O'Neal at the trading deadline two seasons ago, it was the Suns who wouldn't go through with it. So how can you blame the Cavs for that?

-- Mary

Indians fans are already deciding who has the most to prove this season.

View full sizeChuck Crow / The Plain DealerMatt LaPorta needs to have a good season somewhere in the middle of the Indians' lineup to take some pressure of a batting order dominated by left-handed bats.

Hey, Hoynsie: Is there anyone on the roster whose development is more critical to the team's success than Matt LaPorta? The lineup is currently lacking a middle of the order stick and LaPorta has been earmarked for that role since he was brought over in the CC Sabathia trade. Even if the pitching falls in line and they get production from other spots in the batting order, they desperately need a middle of the order bat to join Santana. -- Leslie Marchak, Sagamore Hills

Hey, Leslie: It is a big year for LaPorta, but I don't think you'll see him in the middle of the lineup even if he gets off to a quick start. If Grady Sizemore and Carlos Santana are healthy, along with Shin-Soo Choo and Travis Hafner, the heart of the order is pretty much set.

I think LaPorta, if he can stay in the lineup for a full season, could be a consistent No. 5 or 6 hitter.

The big thing about LaPorta is that he hits right-handed. The Indians need some pop from the right side because they have so many left-handed hitters.

Hey, Hoynsie: How do you see the starting rotation shaping up? -- Johnny D'ambrosia, Garfield Heights

Hey, Johnny: Headed into spring training, I think Fausto Carmona, Justin Masterson and Mitch Talbot have the first three spots. Carlos Carrasco is favored for the fourth spot with a cast of thousands, including Josh Tomlin, Jeanmar Gomez, David Huff, Alex White and others, competing for the fifth spot.

GM Chris Antonetti could thicken the plot if he brings in a veteran starter such as Kevin Millwood.

Hey, Hoynsie: I was just looking at the MLB.com's list of the top 50 prospects and noticed the Indians have only one of the top 50 (Lonnie Chisenhall). Why is this when we traded for all these top prospects? -- Jason Siska, Toledo

Hey, Jason: Usually a player isn't considered a prospect after he gets to the big leagues. I'm assuming that's why Carlos Santana, Matt LaPorta, Michael Brantley, Jason Donald, Carlos Carrasco, Lou Marson and others weren't on that list.

Those six players, along with others, were all acquired in trades by the Indians over the last three years. When they were acquired, most of them were considered prospects.

View full sizeChuck Crow / The Plain DealerCarlos Carrasco will get plenty of opportunity this summer to prove he was a good acquisition in the Cliff Lee deal.

Hey, Hoynsie: After trading Cliff Lee, didn't the organization state that the team would compete in 2010? Since they weren't accurate, is their expectation to play over .500 ball in 2011? -- Lucas Duke, Norwalk

Hey, Lucas: They did compete in 2010. They competed and lost 93 games.

You compete when you walk on the field. Contending is a whole different matter. That being said, I always had the impression that the Indians knew they were going to take their lumps last season unless everything worked perfectly.

GM Chris Antonetti told a town hall meeting Thursday that he expects the Indians not only to be better than last year, but to be a contending team this year. He added that a lot of things have to go right with their young players for that to be accomplished.

Hey, Hoynsie: Now that the Indians came out of arbitration without breaking the bank, can we expect them to try and improve with some free agents or trades for proven major-leaguers? -- Julia George, Canton

Hey, Julia: I wouldn't be surprised if the Indians signed one or two more players before camp opens on Feb. 15. But I anticipate that they'll be borderline big-leaguers coming to camp on minor-league invitations.

Hey, Hoynsie: Why did the team trade Jhonny Peralta without a suitable replacement? -- Rico Torres, Cleveland

Hey, Rico: Where were you the last seven years when almost every Indians fans who could access the Internet wanted Peralta on the next bus out of town? Now you want him back -- you're too late, buddy.

The suitable replacement, at least in the minds of the Indians brass, will open the 2011 season at Class AAA Columbus. His name is Lonnie Chisenhall.

In case it escaped you, the Indians have been in fire sale mode for the last three years. Peralta was eligible for free agency at the end of the 2010 season and the Indians had no intention of picking up his 2011 option. That meant he was gone at the first opportunity -- suitable replacement or not suitable replacement.

Hey, Hoynsie: I am guilty of wishing the Dolans would sell the Indians to an owner who can be financially competitive. I've wondered, though, why they have not used their position to scream and shout for a salary cap, or much greater revenue sharing. I know we may see the end of the cap in the NFL, but that doesn't mean it didn't work. Where are the Dolans on this? Why don't they talk about it every time they make any public comments? I can, and do, complain about it. The Dolans, as MLB owners, are actually in a position to do something about it. -- Jack Bacevice, Cleveland

Hey, Jack: The Dolans know the drawbacks of MLB's system better than most, but if you cruise the Internet I don't think you'll see any small-, mid- or big-market team complaining about its plight, including instituting a salary cap or requesting more money in revenue sharing.

It doesn't mean the Dolans haven't raised the issue at owners meetings. It doesn't mean they're not seeking some kind of relief when the next contract is negotiated in December. It just means they're not going to take on Commissioner Bud Selig in a public forum. Just to get one thing straight -- the chances of getting a salary cap anytime in the near or distance future are not good.

Hey, Hoynsie: What are the rules for small-market teams as to who they can sign during free agency? Why was Tampa allowed to sign Manny Ramirez? -- Bobby Thurmond, Brunswick

Hey, Bobby: There are no rules. A team can sign whoever it wants as long as it's owner wants to spend the cash. That's why it's called a free agency.

Hey, Hoynsie: Bob Feller got some wonderful coverage after he passed away. I think I read every inch of it. There were a couple of items of interest which were not noted (unless I missed them). Hal Naragon was mentioned, but while Hal and Frankie Pytlak were catchers, didn't Bob consider Rollie Hemsley to be his personal catcher? Rollie used to catch Bob with a slab of steak in his mitt. I attended the first game in our new stadium with my three sons and when we went past Feller's statue I mentioned that his left leg wasn't near high enough, like it is in Jeff Darcy's editorial cartoon to Bob a few days after Bob died, where Bob said his best strike out was Hitler. Don't you think so? -- Henry Hegrat, Maple Heights

Hey, Henry: According to Russell Schneider's excellent encyclopedia on the Indians, Hemsley became Feller's personal catcher after working behind the plate on Feller's Opening Day no-hitter against Chicago on April 16, 1940. The arrangement stayed intact until Hemsley was traded the next year.

Pytlak caught for the Indians from 1932-40 and Naragon from 1951-59. They each caught Feller. As for the statue outside Progressive Field not capturing Feller's true delivery, even the most skilled artist sometimes can't recapture real art.

Hey, Hoynsie: I urged the Dolans to sell because they can't or won't compete. I said we fans have no recourse because we have to accept ownership that's dealt to us. Your answer was "Fans always have a recourse...don't buy a ticket or turn off the TV/radio." If enough disenchanted fans take your "recourse" as advice, I can visualize a flashback to 1967 when the Indians draw 662,000 (8,185 per game average) and Gabe Paul was on the verge of making a deal to play "home" games in New Orleans. -- Burt Laderman, Aurora

Hey, Burt: The last time I checked, the Dolans weren't selling the Indians. Never fear, you still have options: You can go to the ballpark and watch this young team go through a developmental stage and see if they can turn themselves into a contender. Even the Indians great teams from 1995 through 2001 stumbled in the early 1990s.

If they do emerge as a contender, ownership has showed in the past it will spend to improve the team.

You can stop going to the ballpark, thus sending ownership a message of your disapproval of their operating plan. Believe me, it will make an impression.

Or you can keep writing me and complaining as if Indians fans are the only fans going through this situation. Check out Pittsburgh, Kansas City, Baltimore and Toronto.

Hey, Hoynsie: Do you know if the Indians tried to sign Micah Owings this winter before Arizona did? Although he would be a relief pitcher, he could have been a backup first baseman and DH. His lifetime batting average is .293 and he has nine home runs in something like 180 at-bats and his slugging percentage is well over .500. He would have been a good RH bat off the bench or as a DH and still pitch occasionally. -- Joe Eversole, Pelham, Ala.

Hey, Joe: Tribe was never interested in Owings. If they were it would have been as a pitcher, not a hitter. He hasn't had an ERA below 5.34 in the last three seasons.

-- Hoynsie

The love for Bernie Kosar in Cleveland isn't quite blind but some people are still looking through the rose-colored glasses they bought in the 1980s, Bud Shaw writes in his Sunday Spin.

View full sizeThomas Ondrey / The Plain DealerIt doesn't take long to see the emotional pull Bernie Kosar still has on Cleveland sports fans hungry for success from the area's pro teams. But those supportive emotions alone don't make Kosar the right choice to be employed by the Browns, says Bud Shaw.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The love for Bernie Kosar in Cleveland isn't quite blind, but some people are still looking through the rose-colored glasses they bought in the 1980s...

In 2006, the Miami Herald reported Kosar had interest in becoming the University of Miami's next head football coach, despite never coaching at any level.

Just this week, a Boston newspaper report told of Kosar "nosing around" at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama, looking for a coaching position with a NFL team. His resume hasn't changed.

It's far more likely Kosar wants a position as a consultant. Hey, who doesn't? Good luck to him if it works out.

But inside a workaholic profession where anything less than all day, every day is sniffed at as part-time, "consultant" and "mentor" are sketchy job descriptions.

For various reasons -- some personal, some professional -- Kosar has never committed to the real work necessary to become integral to a football operation.

Is he smart enough? Surely. But again, for what job? Quarterback coach?

Those aren't banking hours. It's a full-time teaching position first and foremost, not like a swing coach helping a golfer get back on track.

One suggestion is Kosar would be perfect to mentor a young offensive coordinator. That might be his idea of a perfect job. But who else's? I'd put my trust in an old coordinator or a head coach mentoring a young coordinator before I'd put my trust in a never-been-a-coordinator.

New England and Cincinnati were mentioned as possible landing spots for Kosar. We'll see.

View full sizeAP photoWhether it's Kosar or Jim Brown, Bud Shaw writes that you'd be hard-pressed to find another NFL organization in which the word of former players not working in the league on a daily basis carried so much weight with ownership.

As for the Browns, when president Mike Holmgren inherited this dysfunctional organization he immediately tackled the delicate issue of the Franchise Icon. You'd be hard-pressed to find another NFL organization in which the word of former players not working in the NFL on a daily basis carried so much weight with ownership.

Granted, Kosar isn't Jim Brown. Still, what could Kosar offer the Browns in less than a full-time coaching capacity except another voice, another educated opinion? Would that outweigh potential negatives? What if they found him lacking and let him go?

When the Browns waived Kosar as quarterback, Art Modell called his PR department from home the next day and asked how the story was played in that morning's newspaper.

"Japanese bomb Pearl Harbor," he was told.

The situation isn't nearly the same in 2011, but the public affection for Kosar clouds clear thinking. Some people can't understand why the Browns wouldn't hire him.

Step out of the 1980s for a moment. Suspend your emotional attachment -- even if you just consider the direction the Browns are clearly going offensively and the number of skilled chefs already in the kitchen.

Why would they?

You'd think this guy might have Eggo on his face, but no...

A Toronto Maple Leafs fan was charged with mischief to property after throwing thawed breakfast waffles on the ice in protest of a 6-3 loss Dec. 20. Authorities dropped the charges against 31-year-old Joe Robb in return for five hours of community service and a lifetime ban from the arena.

"They wanted me to sign a peace bond and other stuff," Robb told the Toronto Star. "I refused. My parents are proud people, Scottish people. And they just always told me ... don't stand down."

Never more proud than now, surely.

It's depressing to think we're not No. 1 in this category...

A survey of the 14 NFL cities to never win a Super Bowl attempted to determine America's most depressed football town. I could've told them to whittle the field to ones who've never even been to a Super Bowl, but they didn't consult me.

They based their findings on the following:

1. Psychiatrists per capita.

2. Heavy drinking.

3. Average commute time.

4. Adults with hypertension.

5. Average yearly sunshine.

The Top 10: Philadelphia, Atlanta, Cincinnati, Houston, San Diego, Detroit, Jacksonville, Cleveland, Charlotte and Seattle.

What a joke. The Eagles have played in five NFC Championship games and one Super Bowl since 1999. The Phillies won the World Series in 2008. Seattle, Cincinnati, Carolina and San Diego have made the Super Bowl, too.

Atlanta, Jacksonville and Houston get a lot more sunshine.

We have no Super Bowls, no sunshine, Christmas Ale as our home brew. We'd make use of the shrink's leather couch if we weren't passed out on the floor.

They missed one category that would've sealed it for Cleveland.

Promixity (too close) to the number of Lombardi Trophies (too many) won by your hated rival.

SEPARATED AT BIRTH

ESPN's John Clayton and Stewie Griffin from "Family Guy." -- Jim Kane, Olmsted Township

Eric Spoelstra and Gilbert Gottfried (from 15 years ago) -- Gary Heldt

YOU SAID IT

(The Expanded Sunday Edition)

"Bud:

"Is it true the Cavs' downhill spiral really began when they failed to sign 'Z'?" -- Tom

In the Lithuanian version of "Sunday Spin," yes.

"Bud:

"When the Cavs handed out the 'One For All' T-shirts, did they mean the number of wins in all of 2011?" -- Joe

An optimist, eh?

"Bud:

"LeBron James and Zydrunas Ilgauskas appear on the cover of a $5 Florida lottery scratch-off ticket. Which two Cleveland pro sports personalities do you think could appear on an Ohio lottery scratch-off to entice people to purchase the ticket?" -- Jim D.

There are two and only two. The Cleveland Crush's first couple picks in the Lingerie Football League draft.

"Bud:

"Can we, as Cleveland fans, take pride in the fact there will be more Browns than Steelers in Honolulu?" -- Tim, Twinsburg

As much as anything else.

"Hey Bud:

"Obviously we're going hungry with the Cavs' Chalupa deal. So how 'bout every time General Manager Chris Grant unloads a guy for future picks, we get a Happy Meal." -- Steve Miller, Cleveland

If Happy Meals now come with champagne, that sounds about right.

"Bud:

"I see that former Indians' pitcher Bartolo Colon signed a minor-league contract with the Yankees. Does that mean his sumo deal fell through?" -- Joe Percio

The tradition in sumo calls for combatants to throw salt on the mat in a ritual purification. Bartolo kept throwing it on his fries.

"Bud:

"I see Dwyane Wade is now wearing red goggles which reduce the headaches he's having. Shouldn't these same goggles be passed out to fans at the Q who have to watch the Cavs play?" -- Kevin, North Ridgeville

First-time "You Said It" winners receive a T-shirt from the Mental Floss collection.

"Bud:

"Is it true LeBron James tweeted during the Bears-Packers game that he would never quit on his team during a playoff game?" -- Angelo, Cleveland

Repeat winners receive a complimentary hex from Dan Gilbert.

This may come as a surprise, but there's debate about Colt McCoy's future with the Browns in this week's mailbag.

View full sizeMike Roemer / Associated PressColt McCoy wasn't supposed to get much action once the 2010 preseason concluded, but injuries have given him an early grip on the 2011 starting job for the Browns -- assuming there's a 2011 season.

Hey, Tony: Given that the Browns were two high ankle sprains away from the front office's plan to sit Colt McCoy last season, would Tom Heckert/Mike Holmgren be approaching the crucial QB draft issue differently if he hadn't played? In other words, was the plan to start McCoy in his second year in the West Coast offense under new coaching or was he drafted due to Holmgren's philosophy to pick a QB every year? -- Steve Cornelius, Avon Lake

Hey, Steve: This is an excellent question. If McCoy had not played a single down, I believe the Browns would consider taking a quarterback with their first pick a lot more than now. With a month to go in the 2010 season, Holmgren told me that "at the very least," McCoy had earned the right to compete for the starting job in 2011. Now, that was before he had a couple of bad games to conclude the season. I think the quarterback issue -- as always -- is a dominant point of conversation in the halls of Berea.

Hey, Tony: We all know we can't talk free agency until a labor deal has been reached, but do you think the Browns would consider signing back Kameron Wimbley as a free agent to be DE in the new 4-3 defense? He's young, played the position in college, can rush the passer, and it would fill one of the holes on the D Line. -- Joe Crespo, Houston, Texas

Hey, Joe: So after spending five years developing into an NFL linebacker, you want to move him back to defensive end? Hey, I've heard worse ideas. I always thought letting him go was a puzzling move.

Hey, Tony: A couple of Web sites are reporting DE Jayme Mitchell will be a free agent after the 2010 season. Please tell me he signed a new deal when he became a Brown via a trade from the Vikings this year. If not and the Browns lose him in free agency it will be the weirdest signing in Browns history. -- Dale Galbraith, Barberton

Hey, Dale: According to NFLPA salary information, Mitchell's contract indeed expired after the 2010 season, making him a free agent of some kind, dependent on the labor situation. Yes, this was one of the weirdest trades I've come across. The guy never played in a 3-4 and never sniffed a minute of playing time and now is a free agent.

Hey, Tony: I know you don't like taking uniform questions, but do you think the Browns will consider bringing back the orange pants that they would wear back in the good old days? -- Doug Barnes, Cleveland

Hey, Doug: I heard new coach Pat Shurmur on Pro Football Talk Live asked about the orange pants and he couldn't believe uniform color was even a topic of discussion. Boy, is he in for a surprise.

Hey, Tony: The inability of the new head coach to assemble a staff is very troubling. Especially accompanied by the lack of comments from the front office. I understand that an established OC would not want to come here because of Shurmur calling the plays. But what gives on defense? The only remaining explanation I can think of is that they are targeting an assistant on one of the teams still in the thick of things. But of the 4-3 teams nobody on the staffs stands out. Also, letting the special teams coach walk is another problem. As much as Mangini's reputation proceeded him he was able to put together a very good staff (other than Daboll -- had to get that shot in) in relative short order. What does this all mean? Are we going back to Chris Palmer era? -- Joe Carlton, Highland Heights

Hey, Joe: Since you submitted your question the Browns hired Dick Jauron as defensive coordinator. He's a respected defensive coach who was their first choice. I've heard a few assistants have been hired -- or rehired from the old staff -- but the Browns haven't confirmed them yet. As for the offensive coordinator, I would reserve judgment until the final spots are filled. They've already got enough cooks on offense to stir the broth, anyway.

Hey, Tony: With the possible move to a West Coast offense, where does Lawrence Vickers fit in? The offense requires both backs to be able to catch the ball. Vickers might be a good trade bait along with Shaun Rogers, don't you think? -- Rod Sauer, Athens

Hey, Rod: It would appear Vickers' skill set does not mesh with the West Coast offense. Trouble is, his contract is up and will be a free agent. So he can't be traded. Somebody told me Rogers had some kind of clause in his contract that made it nearly impossible to trade him in 2010. I'm not sure if the clause is effective in 2011.

Hey, Tony: Who is in charge of hiring the coordinators and assistants? Does it fall on Shurmur, Heckert, Holmgren or a combination of all three? What is the exact process? -- Alan Kiesinger, Avoca, Pa.

Hey, Alan: Ordinarily, the head coach selects the candidates, conducts the interviews and makes the hire. It is not unusual, however, for the team president and GM to participate, especially when the head coach has not been a head coach before.

View full sizeJohn Kuntz / The Plain DealerMike Wallace and the Steelers are a hard sell as Super Bowl "fan favorites" around Northeast Ohio, but it's hard not to admire their blueprint for success, says Tony Grossi.

Hey, Tony: Is there ever a case where a true Browns fan would root for the Steelers? I'm 60 and I say no. Forget about the Ravens. You can blame Art. How long have the Ravens even been around? The Steelers have always been our greatest rival. They both went to the AFC together. They've played 117 times. The Turnpike rivalry. Some people here at work are rooting for the Steelers to beat the Jets. I say they are closet Steelers fans who for whatever reason are living in Cleveland. I can't see myself ever rooting for the Steelers, ever. -- Ken Jaris, Parma Heights

Hey, Ken: Don't change, but understand that it's OK to have grudging respect for the Steelers' magnificent organization. If they weren't the Browns' fiercest rival, I think most fans in Cleveland would long to have a football franchise like that to root for. By the way, they did vote against the move of Art Modell's team to Baltimore in 1996.

Hey, Tony: The team just hired Dick Jauron as their DC, just lost Brad Seely, and have not hired an OC. A lot of names have surfaced during the searches, what is going on with the organization that it seems hardly nobody wants to take a job with the Browns? -- Mike Meade, Marion

Hey, Mike: The Eagles, Cardinals and Raiders still are looking for their defensive coordinator. I wouldn't jump off the I-480 bridge over it. There's a lot of consternation in the assistant coaching world as a result of the impending owners lockout. Besides, in previous times, the Browns have waited for the Super Bowl to finish to fill their head coach job.

Hey, Tony: Why not tailor the defense to the talents of the available talent that we have or can get? Instead we seem to simply go with what the coach likes. The 3-4 and 4-3 both can be successful. Good coaches should be able to adapt to the players' strengths. -- Rudy Wachtler, Phoenix, Ariz.

Hey, Rudy: That's fine in theory, but most of the time coaches implement their system and the players adapt. One notable exception is that when Mike Tomlin took over as Steelers coach, everyone thought he'd implement the 4-3 "cover 2" defense he was comfortable with and raised in. Smartly, Tomlin kept Dick LeBeau as defensive coordinator and continued the zone blitz 3-4 scheme. Two Super Bowls later ...

Hey, Tony: Just got finished reading highlights from Pat Shurmur's first press conference and all three -- Holmgren, Heckert and the coach -- are saying Colt McCoy has the skills to be a good quarterback. What do you think? -- Donald Pasqualetti, Reading

Hey, Donald: The Browns are hoping that the West Coast offense will bring out the best in McCoy. I agree that system will maximize his many skills and attributes.

Hey, Tony: How do you think this past season would have played out had it not been for the presence of rookies T.J. Ward and Joe Haden? I ask this question trying to gauge how much farther we can come along next season if we have a equally successful upcoming draft. -- Justin Sacco, Phoenix, Ariz.

Hey, Justin: Overall, Haden, Ward and McCoy contributed more, probably, than expected. At the same time, Montario Hardesty and Shawn Lauvao did little, Hardesty because of injury and Lauvao partly due to an injury. It's extremely tough to get five main contributors from one draft class. Three is good and four is real good. If Hardesty and Lauvao make real contributions in 2011 -- and the three others improve on their rookie seasons -- that's a heck of a draft class. The 2011 draft class has to provide some legitimate playmakers instantly.

Hey, Tony: Nine sacks this year ... and they thought I was only worth a third-round pick! -- Kamerion Wimbley, Oakland, Calif.

Hey, Kamerion: I said and wrote at the time that the Wimbley trade was a puzzler to me. They used the pick to select Colt McCoy. If McCoy is the real deal, the trade will tilt in the Browns' favor.

Hey, Tony: Assuming that the Browns will switch to a 4-3 defense, if we made no moves to shore up the line and backer positions, who would be our front seven starters? Do you think that the hiring of Dick Jauron will help the Browns attract quality free agents? I think we are going to need all the help we can get to be able to field a half-way decent defense -- D.A. Pimley, Centreville, Va.

Hey, D.A.: No moves to the front seven? That's a scary thought. The following players on the front seven are potential free agents: Matt Roth, Jayme Mitchell, Marcus Benard, D'Qwell Jackson, Jason Trusnik, Brian Schaefering. I don't think the hiring of Jauron will have an effect on free agency other than to require different style of players to plug into the 4-3.

Hey, Tony: My question pertains to the 1986 AFC Championship. I was watching a replay and the Browns had Denver in a third and 18 in the closing minutes. Elway threw a pass for 25 yards and the receiver was wide open. There was no missed tackles on the play. In that situation, how could a player get that wide open so deep? It was neither a great throw or a great catch. Just throwing the ball down the center of the field. Did you ever hear an explanation of what happened? -- Frank DeSarro, Duryea, Pa.

Hey, Frank: I believe Hanford Dixon missed or lost his assignment on the play you mention. I think it's still a sore point with him, obviously.

Hey, Tony: I am actually excited about the coaching changes and the direction of the team but still acknowledge the Browns need a decent player at almost every position to fill either depth or needs. The draft can fill some voids but trades are crucial. Are we understating just how important this labor issue is in regards to building the team through free agency? -- Eliot Clasen, Cape Coral, Fla.

Hey, Eliot: Most everything is on hold -- free agency, trades, draft pick signings -- until a new bargaining agreement is done. The only events taking place as scheduled are the NFL combine in February and the draft on April 28-30.

Hey, Tony: Which position do you think is the most urgent need for the Browns? Do you think switching to a 4-3 is a good idea given the team's lack of depth on the defensive line? -- Curtis Lehr, Brook Park

Hey, Curtis: Defensive line is the most urgent need, simply because of a lack of bodies. Cornerback is not that far behind. Receiver is the most urgent need on offense. I think the perceived need at right tackle would be lessened if Floyd Womack were put ahead of John St. Clair and Shawn Lauvao moved to right guard. Still, a young developmental tackle is a need.

Hey, Tony: Do you use the No. 6 pick on the best player on the board regardless of position or do you commit to D-line or receiver? Is QB out of the question? -- Jeff Draime, Warren

Hey, Jeff: The best player on the board at No. 6 would help the Browns, regardless of position. Quarterback? Oh, geez, here we go again.

Hey, Tony: Matt Hasselbeck, who has a mediocre arm at best, has some of his best games in harsh northern weather. He racked up 662 yards, 7TDs and one interception in the playoffs this year. I believe the QB has little to do with the wins in cold weather outside of not making mistakes. Trent Dilfer won a Super Bowl with Baltimore, as a key example. Curious your take on my examples. -- Chris Cheney, Elyria

Hey, Chris: Listen, everyone wants to believe Colt McCoy is the guy. I'm not trying to blow up anyone's fantasy. I just have concerns about his arm. Me and 30 other teams pretty much have the same concern. Maybe he overcomes it. Don't kill the messenger. Hasselbeck hit a brick wall, I believe, in Chicago. Dilfer played behind simply one of the greatest defenses of this generation. Do you want a QB who wins nine or 10 games and maybe a playoff game? Or do you want a quarterback to take your team to the Super Bowl? That's the question.

View full sizeGus Chan / The Plain DealerDid Mike Holmgren give former head coach Eric Mangini all the needed help and support before eventually firing him? A reader wonders, but Tony Grossi is convinced.

Hey, Tony: You said last week the following: "I'm sure Holmgren will take a more active role alongside Shurmur than he took with Mangini." If this is true, then Holmgren should be fired for dereliction of duty. If you're going to tell me, a long-time season ticket holder, that Holmgren would actively help one HC and not another in the same circumstance, then he should be fired because he failed the organization. -- Mike B., Dover

Hey, Mike: Holmgren was there to help. The head coach and coordinator have to embrace the concept.

Hey, Tony: With regards to concerns about the strength of Colt McCoy's arm, are your concerns based on the 10 or 12 throws he's made deeper that 30 yards, or the dozens he threw of less than 20 yards? He seems to have velocity and accuracy on medium range and short passes which are the hallmark of the West Coast offense as I understand it. -- Mr. P., Worthington

Hey, Mr. P.: It's not only the deep vertical throws but also the deep sideline outs.

Hey, Tony: Here is a quote from you last week and I want to prove you wrong. "I was touting defensive line help long before the apparent switch to the 4-3 scheme. Receivers can be had in any round." Fact, the only talent we have had here catching the ball since 1999 is Winslow and Edwards, both first-round picks. 2. Since 1999, the Browns are the kings of drafting receivers in round two -- K Johnson, Q Morgan, Northcutt, A Davis, Robiskie, Massoquoi, etc. That did not work. 3. Fact, maybe the 3 best receivers in the NFL were 1st rd picks in A Johnson, C Johnson, and Fitzgerald. Get a Vincent Jackson via free agency and if available draft A.J. Green (or Julio Jones) in round 1. If Colt plays well the offense is fixed. Then I promise you can use the remaining draft on defense. -- Nathan Cornell, Minneapolis, Minn.

Hey, Nathan: The Steelers prove my point -- that you can find very good receivers in just about any round. I'm trying to think of what Andre Johnson and Calvin Johnson have ever won in the NFL and my mind escapes me. Fitzgerald, yes, he was the best of a very loaded offensive football team. It's all about scouting. Anybody can choose the highest-rated receiver in all the draft books, if that's what you want. Did you say Vincent Jackson, the second-rounder from Northern Colorado? Precisely my point, pal.

Hey, Tony: When Mangini arrived, he brought in several coaches and players that knew his system and philosophies. You constantly tore him apart for it. Now, it's quite apparent that Holmgren only looked for coaches/head execs represented by agent Bob LaMonte. Why haven't you publicly lambasted him for this yet? -- Wyatt Graff, Atlanta, Ga.

Hey, Wyatt: First off, it's cronyism, not nepotism. And I have written about it. I was the first one to point out that LaMonte would have tremendous influence on the Browns' organization going forward. I didn't constantly tear Mangini apart for it. I merely pointed out every time he brought in a crony and tallied the ex-Jets on the roster. Just the facts.

Hey, Tony: Why is everyone making such a big deal about the switch from a 3-4 defense to a 4-3? Does no one realize that the Browns frequently employed a 4-, 5- or even 6-man front throughout the season, depending on the situation? I don't believe the switch will be that much of an adjustment when you consider that all of the players at some point, if not most, of their careers have played in a 4-3 alignment. Am I missing something? -- Patrick Gilmore, Level Cross, N.C.

Hey, Patrick: I agree with you.

Hey, Tony: The Browns lack talent on both sides of the ball with the largest hole being the lack of a franchise QB. I look at our division and it appears the Browns need at least three successful drafts, including the franchise QB, before they could be expected to reach and maintain a playoff-caliber level. Obviously scoring with free agents could shorten that scenario. But it sure looks like at least two more years. -- Jeff Draime, Warren

Hey, Jeff: The Browns need a franchise quarterback. Is it McCoy? I don't know. The point is, we are in a "don't know" mode at that position. Until we do know, nothing will change. Do the Steelers know about Ben Roethlisberger? Yes. Do the Ravens know about Joe Flacco? Yes. The Browns need at least two more drafts of producing 3-4 quality, starting players each time.

Hey, Tony: I greatly appreciate your concerns about the average player age of the Browns, the need to get some 3 to 4 starters out of each draft, and ones that can play well in the NE Ohio cold. This leads me to getting a good TE in the third or fourth round such as Mount Union's Kyle Miller, who the Packers are scouting because he catches well, blocks well, plays well in NE Ohio cold in playoff wins, and is a long snapper, too. Your thoughts on him or other TE candidates? -- Alan Fojt, Manassas, Va.

Hey, Alan: I am unfamiliar with Kyle Miller. I would suggest, however, that Evan Moore fits nicely in the West Coast offense and Benjamin Watson is a quality player at tight end as well.

Hey, Tony: I agree with you that what the Browns have been doing lately hasn't worked against the Steelers and Ravens, so why not try the West Coast offense. My question is does your quarterback need a rocket arm to succeed in the WCO? -- Marty McQuaide, Warren

Hey, Marty: Rocket arm to succeed in the WCO? No. Very good arm to succeed in Cleveland in December and January? Yes.

Hey, Tony: The experts say Joe Flacco and Jay Cutler are great QBs. They show me nothing. I would take Colt McCoy over both. Am I nuts? -- Steve Bunnell, Conneaut

Hey, Steve: No, not nuts. You are a Browns fan. You are entitled to ignore the qualities of players on opposing teams and believe that your team's players are the very best. I think Flacco is going to be an elite QB. Not quite there yet, but close. Cutler, I don't like. Certainly not a great quarterback and may never be. But McCoy is unproven, of course, and can only hope to achieve with the other two have.

Hey, Tony: Will you move to L.A. to cover the Browns when they move there in the next year or two? -- Justin Johnson, Perrysburg

Hey, Justin: I think you're confusing me with somebody else.

View full sizeRusty Kennedy / Associated PressBill Cowher overrated? Tony isn't buying it.

Hey, Tony: I am boycotting the Super Bowl this year because I cannot stand to see the Pittsburgh Steelers back in the Super Bowl. I hate them. P.S. Mike Tomlin is taking the Steelers to the Super Bowl for the 2nd time in his short tenure there, which tells me Bill Cowher is overrated. -- Bill Russ, Virginia Beach, Va.

Hey, Bill: Why, of course, Cowher was overrated. I believe he only won the Super Bowl after the Steelers drafted a quarterback in the first round. Getting to a Super Bowl with Neil O'Donnell. Any coach could have done that, right?

Hey, Tony: What a lot of you did to Mangini and staff is without a doubt "running a coach" textbook edition. What is even more puzzling to me is how I barely see you write two words about our new coach, but you still write negative articles on Mangini weeks after he was fired. You even had multiple digs at him while tweeting from the Steelers game. I have to believe that you like many others are stunned we now have a no-name coach that no Browns fan had ever heard of and most realize is a puppet for Holmgren. Deep down you know you never in a million years imagined Pat Shurmur would be our coach, but rather had visions of a big name savior coming our way and I think that is why you can't let the Mangini thing go. -- Michael Spitale, Galena

Hey, Michael: I don't know how Shurmur will do. I know how Mangini did (10-22).

Hey, Tony: I'm sorry but I just don't believe in this current coaching lineup. Dick Jauron isn't a Dick LeBeau. His defenses are suspect against the run, they aren't genuinely tough either. On top of that we have to overhaul the defense to at least make it serviceable for a 4-3 during a time when we are losing/have lost at least one corner, may be losing our free safety, our other corner is getting long in the tooth and we really don't have a 4-3 middle linebacker. I'm not even excited for the upcoming season. -- Randy Brown, Huntington, W.Va.

Hey, Randy: If the old defense was producing wins instead of near-misses, I might agree.

Hey, Tony: Any chance Brad Childress will be coming to Cleveland as OC? -- Ron Jones, Mechanicsville, Va.

Hey, Ron: Doesn't appear so.

Hey, Tony: You stated that defenses no longer win championships. When I watch all four teams in championship games I see four great defenses. The Browns in the draft must take a front 7 defensive player with their first pick (Fairley, Bowers) and even possibly another in Round 2. If we do not measure defensive intensity of Ravens and Steelers we have no shot of ever getting out of our own division. We have to go defense, defense, defense in the draft don't you think? -- Doug Howes, Columbia, Mo.

Hey, Doug: There are no absolutes in the NFL anymore. A couple years ago, the Colts had the worst defense against the run and they won the Super Bowl. But they had a great offense. The object is to be great on one side of the ball and very good on the other. You can choose which side you want to be great. But if you don't have a quarterback, all will be lost. (And please don't bring up Trent Dilfer and the Baltimore Ravens. That was now 11 years ago.)

Hey, Tony: If there really is a prolonged lockout that wipes out the entire 2011 season, how upset do you think Browns' fans will really be? What are we going to miss, another 10+ loss season, being annihilated by the Steelers twice (again) and watching them repeat as Super Bowl champs? -- Zach Allen, Columbus

Hey, Zach: Maybe fans will turn their attention to Aston Villa FC.

Hey, Tony: Given that in the end it is player personnel that wins or loses, how much do you think the 2009 draft doomed the Mangini regime or at least was a major contributor? On an unrelated issue, did Peyton Hillis stop leaping players after the Buffalo game? After that fumble I don't recall him leaping anymore. -- Glenn Studevant, Tucson, Ariz.

Hey, Glenn: The 2009 draft certainly contributed to Mangini's demise. The second season of those players should have boosted the team to a higher level. Instead, many were cut and a couple regressed or stayed the same. Yes, Alex Mack earned a trip to the Pro Bowl (after two player injuries ahead of him). But if your best player out of a whole draft is a center, well, that's why the team is in so need of playmakers.

Hey, Tony: I still think we will need a safety to play with T.J. Ward and another corner to play opposite Joe Haden. I can't explain Eric Wright's horrible year, but I do not see him as an answer opposite Joe. Eric looked lost and confused on the field and his tackling is still questionable, particularly in run support. -- Tony Juliano, Jacksonville, Fla.

Hey, Tony: Agreed. Defensive line and cornerback are positions with multiple needs.

Hey, Tony: I just finished watching highlights of Colt McCoy in college. I watched him throw several balls 40+ yards in the air while hitting the receiver in stride. How much more arm strength do you need? He seems to be very accurate with throws all over the field, including while on the run. Are we overreacting on the weak arm QB storyline? -- Drew Bush, Bluffton, Ind.

Hey, Drew: What was the weather like on those games you watched? McCoy's arm strength looks fine in preseason and early fall. But Texas didn't play many games in sub-30 degrees with 20 mph winds. Arm strength is not just about distance. It's spinning the ball through wind and the elements.

Hey, Tony: Is Pat Shurmur serious about doing the offensive play calling? If so, why would a top NFL OC come here if he not in charge of play calling? -- Jimmy Brock, Berkeley, Calif.

Hey, Jimmy: I can't understand why people are fretting about this. Most offensive-minded head coaches call their own plays. I don't think the Browns coveted a "top NFL OC." That's supposed to be Shurmur.

Hey, Tony: Under the "Way Too Early" column, how would you rate Joe Thomas' career so far? I've always believed Anthony Munoz to be the best lineman I've ever seen play, but if Thomas can stay healthy for the next eight years (and the Browns actually make the playoffs a few times), do you think Thomas could eventually take over that mantel? Of all the past OTs that you've seen, who do you think Thomas compares most favorably to? -- Tim, Winter Haven, Fla.

Hey, Tim: Four seasons, four Pro Bowls and three All-Pro selections. That's a great start. Munoz is in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Thomas has a ways to go to approach that level.

View full sizeMark Duncan / Associated PressT.J. Ward's big hit on Jordan Shipley may have earned plenty of attention, but it also was the high point of Ward's rookie season, says Tony.

Hey, Tony: Recently, you have gone on record as saying you're not certain Colt McCoy has the arm strength for November and December games. In regards to T.J. Ward, do you see him having the ability to be a playmaking safety that seems to be so important? I really like him, but is he just a good hitter? -- Joshua Jones, Fullerton, Calif.

Hey, Joshua: No doubt in my mind that Ward's play dropped off after his $7,500 fine for hitting Jordan Shipley. I saw many missed tackles and a few dropped interceptions. Overall, though, he had a good rookie year, leading the team in special teams tackles. He will get better, I am sure.

Hey, Tony: If A.J. Green is still on the board at No. 6, do you think we could interest New England to trade us their 17th and 28th picks so they could get that big fast deep receiver which they lack? That would allow us with picks 17, 28, and 37 to address our lines on both sides of the ball. -- Larry A. Francis, Akron

Hey, Larry: I would be wary of trading with New England. Keep all hands on your wallet. I mean, they kind of know what they're doing.

Hey, Tony: On a number of occasions, President Mike Holmgren has stated that Browns' fans deserve a winner. Do you think that he truly gets just how tortured we are as a fan base? Furthermore, do you think it's even relevant whether or not he "gets it"? I certainly do. -- Robert Shelton, Beckley, W.Va.

Hey, Robert: I do and he does.

Hey, Tony: During the week prior to the Steelers vs. Ravens playoff game, the national media unanimously declared the match-up as "the best rivalry in football." Am I the only Browns' fan that had the "that should be my team" feeling? Did you feel the same way I felt? Do you think we will ever get over the move? -- Lisa Winterbed, Tulsa, Okla.

Hey, Lisa: I have to visit Baltimore once a year as part of my job. It's one of the best road trips of the Browns' season -- except for the games, which are usually losses. I am way over the move. It's losing that we don't get over so easily.

Hey, Tony: I would like to see the Browns draft Von Miller of Texas A&M with the sixth pick and if we can in the second round get Vincent Brown of SDSU. Is this a possibility? -- Darryl Holmes, Houston, Texas

Hey, Darryl: As luck would have it, Mel Kiper Jr. recently said on a conference call that Miller projects as a 3-4 outside linebacker. The Browns don't seem to have a need for one of those anymore. Anyone in the second round is a possibility.

Hey, Tony: You mentioned five or six QBs with above-average arm strength. What is the metric for arm strength? How is an average fan supposed to be able evaluate which QBs have the arm strength to play in cold weather in Cleveland in December and January? -- Michael Fay, Bay Village

Hey, Michael: I don't mean to sound trite, but trust your eyes. Does the ball hang? Does the QB need to step into every throw to get it there on time? Do the long passes float? These are not good signs. I'm not saying arm strength is everything. Of course, Derek Anderson had a great arm and nothing else. But I'm saying a quarterback with a below-average arm is not taking a football team based in the north anywhere special.

Hey, Tony: The Drive, The Fumble, Red Right 88 and ... The Draft 2009? Seriously, how bad did Mangini butcher that draft? -- Tori Stephens, Nashville, Tenn.

Hey, Tori: I have written on this topic, of course, and the usual response is: How bad could it be if he got a Pro Bowl center (Alex Mack)? Sigh.

Hey, Tony: When will we find out for sure if Dick Jauron will be running a 4-3 or 3-4? -- Chadrick McNeal, Elida

Hey, Chadrick: Perhaps when the Browns get around to introducing their new coaches to media and fans. Most teams do that.

Hey, Tony: What do you think about Brett Favre as a QB coach or offensive coordinator? -- Phillip Gallaher, Springhill, Fla.

Hey, Phillip: I think he has a better chance of doing a commercial for a cell phone company.

Hey, Tony: Should Browns select wide receiver in the first round or look at free agency? -- Lloyd Gallaher, Delaware, Ohio

Hey, Lloyd: Free agency, trade, CFL and draft, but not in first round.

Hey, Tony: Are Frank Ryan and Dave Mays the only people ever to play in the NFL with doctorates? -- Declan Nalced, Cleveland

Hey, Declan: I'm not sure, but I do know that Dr. J was the only one in the NBA.

Hey, Tony: I have seen several rumors where the Browns' next OC is probably on one of the teams that is participating in the Super Bowl. I took a glance at the Packers' staff and noticed a pretty accomplished quarterback coach in Tom Clements. He seems to have everything that the Browns are looking for except for maybe youth (57 years old). Has his name popped up in any of your sources? If not, who are some candidates you think the Browns are considering? -- Jamie Hill, Pelham, Tenn.

Hey, Jamie: Clements would be a fine choice. As for other candidates, Mark Whipple, formerly with the Steelers, has been mentioned. I've also heard the names Juan Castillo of the Eagles and Karl Dorrell of the Dolphins. But the Browns have not asked those teams permission for interviews. Dorrell recently was promoted to Miami quarterbacks coach from receivers coach.

Hey, Tony: It is the morning of the 2009 NFL draft, and without any warning or preparation you are asked to draft players in the first four rounds. No preparation, no help, just you. Would you have drafted better? -- Jim O'Connor, Rocky River

Hey, Jim: I believe my dog Bella would have, too.

Hey, Tony: As any fan can attest, our passing game was downright awful in 2010. However, with the focus paid to Hillis, one would think that the Browns would have been more inclined to use the play-action pass, which was a rare sight. Why didn't they use it? -- Cameron Christie, Allen, Texas

Hey, Cameron: Everything about the offensive philosophy and direction in the past two seasons is somewhat of a mystery.

Hey, Tony: Even though Brad Seely was given high marks for his work with the special teams, could it be that he had too much influence with Eric Mangini, leading to such an overabundance of special team linebackers? -- Rich Markovich, Schaumburg, Ill.

Hey, Rich: It was Mangini's and Seely's philosophy to fill up the roster with special teams specialists -- tacklers, gunners, etc. I believe when you do that, you improve the special teams but you also forsake roster spots that could be devoted to offensive and defensive specialists who can make plays in the major areas of a team.

Hey, Tony: While I'm absolutely in love with taking character-issue guys with the sixth overall pick, is there such a dropoff from Green to Julio Jones of Alabama? I understand the thinking is always that it is so incredibly difficult to trade down, but when the draft rolls around you see it happen every single year (Alex Mack). Couldn't the Browns move down, gather more picks and get an explosive receiver? -- Joe Cepec, Dublin

Hey, Joe: It's a possibility.

Hey, Tony: With Coach Shurmur planning on calling the offensive plays, do you think that the Browns might consider utilizing Gil Haskell as the offensive coordinator? -- Jeff Croucher, Caldwell

Hey, Jeff: I always thought Haskell was a fallback plan, but it appears he will remain retired from coaching.

Hey, Tony: Now that Mangini is gone, please tell us what happened during the 2009 draft? And, to a lesser extent, what happened with the Kokinis situation? -- Jason Renaud, Chagrin Falls

Hey, Jason: Secret operatives are still gathering classified data on those issues.-- Tony

When the Cavaliers look at the Orlando Magic, they might as well be looking in a mirror.

View full sizeJohn Raoux / Associated PressSo far, Jason Richardson and the rest of the newcomers to the Orlando Magic roster have yet to suggest that they'll be the missing link to an NBA title for Orlando.

MIAMI, Fla. -- When the Cavaliers look at the Orlando Magic, they might as well be looking in a mirror. A backward-looking mirror, but it's surely a familiar image.

The Cavs face off with the Magic Sunday afternoon in a matchup of teams that appear to be on vastly different paths. But they may actually be on the same track, just separated by a couple of years, with the Magic trying hard to get off it.

Last month, Orlando made a massive and complex trade, re-assembling their team on the fly by sending out some big-name players on huge contracts for more players on huge deals. Most are, without much argument, past their prime. The general idea was to surround their star with more talent and convince him to stick around.

This plan may ring familiar to Cavs fans, because their team did the exact same thing and for what appears to be the exact same reasons.

In 2008, the Cavs were a year off an NBA Finals appearance that was supposed to springboard them. Instead they were underachieving and there were already some gathering concerns about LeBron James' upcoming free agency.

Then General Manager Danny Ferry, after weeks of consideration, made a three-team trade involving 11 players. It sent out Larry Hughes, Drew Gooden, Shannon Brown and several others for four new players, two of them free agents-to-be and two with huge contracts. Hughes, one of the biggest free agent signings in team history, had turned unproductive and the Cavs were searching for upgrades, even if it meant taking on very large contracts in return.

At the same time there was a rising new power in the Eastern Conference after an impressive summer overhaul. The Boston Celtics, with the imports of Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett, had passed the Cavs as favorites. Under pressure, the Cavs felt forced into a move.

"I didn't think we were good enough to win the championship," Ferry said at the time. "It's a risk. But we're going to have to make some decisions that have some risk in them if we want to continue to build."

In December, Magic GM Otis Smith was staring at many of the same circumstances. His team, expected to be a serious contender after a Finals appearance in 2009 followed up by a conference finals showing last season, was also underachieving.

View full sizeNam Y. Huh / Associated PressThe Magic are desperate to build a winning case to keep Dwight Howard. Where have we heard that before?

A former major free agent signing, Rashard Lewis, had seen his production tail off significantly and Smith was hoping to get rid of him. Meanwhile, there was a new East power that had sprung up and passed the Magic in the standings thanks to big summer changes. This time it was the Heat, who brought in James and Chris Bosh.

Complicating everything is that, much like the Cavs were facing with James in 2008, Orlando star Dwight Howard's free agency had popped up on the horizon. With the Cavs the major fear seemed to be the New York Knicks, even though it didn't turn out that way. The Magic's concern, admitted publicly or not, is that Howard will try to find a way to get to the Los Angeles Lakers in 2012 because of his interests in music and acting.

So Smith made a decision loaded with risk and under the same circumstances as Ferry did two years earlier. He moved out Lewis and Vince Carter in a large three-team trade that brought in Gilbert Arenas, Jason Richardson and Hedo Turkoglu.

Like with the Cavs in '08, it exploded Orlando's payroll and locked them into a core roster for several years to come. Like with Cleveland, the Magic looked at the lay of the land, evaluated their limited options, and decided they had to do it.

"We had to get better," Smith said after the trade, soundly eerily like Ferry from two years before. "We needed a little bit more punch."

"We think it was worth the gamble," coach Stan Van Gundy said, echoing the thoughts of the Cavs' decision-makers back then.

Since making the deal the Magic are 14-7, slightly ahead of their winning percentage before the trades. But they had just the fourth-best record in the East heading into the weekend and weren't displaying the dominance they'd hoped the influx of talent would lead to.

"Either we get it together or we're just going to be a playoff team that doesn't win a championship," Howard lamented after a bad home loss to Detroit last week.

The Cavs' trades didn't play immediate dividends, either. They went just 14-13 after their big deals, earned the fourth seed in the East and were knocked out in the second round by the Celtics.

Ultimately, it made the Cavs better in the long run, but they didn't accomplish either of their objectives: to win a title, much less get back to the Finals, or retain James.

The stakes and expectations for the Magic are just as high. The chances of success may also end up mirroring the Cavs'.

Former Plain Dealer Cavaliers beat writer Brian Windhorst is a writer for ESPN.com

The Browns' move from the 3-4 defense will force plenty of personnel changes in the off-season, writes Terry Pluto.

View full sizeTracy Boulian / Plain DealerAhtyba Rubin has emerged as a productive member of the Browns' defensive line, but can the team find enough new additions to make a move to the 4-3 defense a winner?

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- With still a week before the Super Bowl, there's plenty of topics for Terry's Talkin' ...

About the Browns...

1. The hiring of Dick Jauron as defensive coordinator probably means a switch to a 4-3 defense. We don't know that for sure, as the Browns have not made Jauron available for interviews, nor have they signaled what type of defense is being prepared for 2010. But Jauron played a 4-3 in his seasons as a head coach and defensive coordinator, and team president Mike Holmgren preferred the 4-3 when he was a coach. So it's a safe bet the Browns will switch after six years of the 3-4 under former coaches Romeo Crennel and Eric Mangini.

2. This change is a big deal because it means the Browns now need four defensive linemen -- and they had trouble finding three healthy and effective defensive linemen last season. Ahtyba Rubin is their best lineman. He was a nose tackle in the 3-4, and he can play tackle in the 4-3. So can Shaun Rogers. But he'll be 32 in March. He packed on pounds and had several injuries last season. He played in 15 games but had only 17 tackles and played 39 percent of the snaps.

3. Looking at the roster, defensive end Kenyon Coleman returns -- and he'll be 32. Although he was a backup, Brian Schaefering played 45 percent of the snaps. Dereck Robinson saw some action. The Browns traded for Jayme Mitchell, he's supposedly better in the 4-3 but never appeared in a game. Veteran Robaire Smith had back problems and may be forced to retire.

4. The point is the Browns probably need at least two starting linemen, and that assumes someone such as outside linebacker Matt Roth can become a regular at defensive end. Linebacker Marcus Benard led the team with eight sacks, and he may be able to be a defensive end.

5. According to Profootballfocus.com, Roth rated 10th among all outside linebackers in the 3-4 defense, and he was fifth against the run. At 6-4 and 275 pounds, he should be able to play defensive end. He also is a free agent, although it's hard to know what exactly that will mean with the new labor agreement.

6. Among the defensive linemen, only Rubin (67 percent) and Coleman (51 percent) played at least 50 percent of the snaps. So the Browns need lots of help. The lack of depth presents a real challenge for General Manager Tom Heckert, who has many other holes to fill.

7. When it comes to the 4-3 defense, the middle linebacker is the key. Who plays that spot? Chris Gocong and Eric Barton were the inside linebackers in the 3-4, but they hardly are dominating players. Supposedly, D'Qwell Jackson was better suited for a 4-3 defense, but he played the first six games of 2009 -- and has been out ever since with chest injuries. Hard to know if he can come back, or how he'll play if he's on the field.

8. Scott Fujita is athletic enough to play in almost any defense, so there should be a spot for him at linebacker. But hard to know if that's true of Gocong, Barton, David Bowens and some of the others. That said, the Browns really need another cornerback and safety. But the defensive line now screams for more attention with the change to a 4-3.

9. This is not the main reason Jeff Fisher was fired by Tennessee, but the veteran coach was second-guessed for firing Earnest Byner as running backs coach after the 2009 season. The former Brown had helped Chris Johnson to his 2,006-yard rushing season. Making it worse for Fisher, he hired Kennedy Pola to replace Byner. But a few months later -- before training camp -- Pola quit to take a job at USC. Johnson still had a good year with 1,364 rushing, but some with the Titans said Byner was missed. Byner was hired by Jacksonville, where he helped Maurice Jones-Drew to a 1,324-yard season, and Jones-Drew missed the final two games.

10. I will be speaking about the Browns and other subjects at the Fairlawn Library on Wednesday, Feb. 2, starting at 6:30 p.m. Admission is free.

About the Cavaliers...

View full sizeJulio Cortez / Associated PressThe hustle and athletic skills shown by rookie Christian Eyenga (8, against New Jersey's Derrick Favors) has impressed the Cavaliers' front office.

1. A year ago, the Cavs wondered if they had messed up their first-round pick (No. 30) in the 2009 draft with the selection of Christian Eyenga. He was averaging only 3.9 points per game in Spain, rarely even getting off the bench for DKV Joventut Badalona. It was more of the same when he appeared in 11 Eurocup games, averaging 3.4 points. He seemed overwhelmed and not even ready for the D-League, much less the NBA. Cavs scouts were disheartened when they watched him in Europe.

2. Even in training camp, Eyenga struggled. At 21, his athletic gifts were obvious, but the native of the Congo seemed confused by Byron Scott's demands and the NBA in general. The Cavs kept telling themselves to be patient, they knew Eyenga was a project and inexperienced when they picked him. He didn't appear in a regular season game until Jan. 2, and that happened because of injuries -- and due to Eyenga working hard in practice and showing some defensive grit.

3. Having played only 10 games heading into Sunday, the Cavs are not ready to say they have a future starter in Eyenga -- at least not once the team improves. But they do have legitimate reasons to think he can be a significant contributor. At 6-5 and 210 pounds with incredible quickness and leaping ability, he brings those attributes to one of the least athletic teams in the league.

4. Eyenga has won over Scott with his willingness to defend. He also has a decent release on his jump shot. He's averaging 7.5 points and 3.3 rebounds in 23 minutes. He's shooting only 41 percent from the field, 4-of-21 on 3-pointers. With his jumping and driving ability, it makes no sense for 21 of his 70 shots to be 3-pointers. He also has been to the foul line only eight times, another sign that he needs to drive to the basket.

5. At some point, the Cavs will probably trade Jamario Moon -- who squandered a chance to start. He was Scott's first pick at small forward, but Moon often disappeared on the floor. While Eyenga is giving the Cavs energy, Moon is averaging only 4.5 points and shooting 37 percent in 19 minutes.

6. ESPN.com wrote about trade talks with the Cavs sending Anderson Varejao to Oklahoma City for young big men such as Cole Aldrich, Byron Mullens and maybe some draft picks. No doubt, Oklahoma City asked about Varejao. But the Cavs had no interest in trading him. He's signed for three more years, and the Cavs want him as part of their future -- they have no big men who come close to his defensive skills.

7. The Cavs' 2009 second-round draft pick, Danny Green, is playing for the Reno Bighorns in the D-League, where he scored 22 points in his first game. After being cut in training camp, he was picked up by the Spurs -- then cut again. His teammate in Reno is Patrick Ewing Jr., the son of the Hall of Fame center. Ewing Jr. is 6-8, averaging 15.8 points and 8.4 rebounds. The undersized 26-year-old center has played 54 games for Reno over the last two seasons.

About the Tribe...

View full sizeChuck Crow / The Plain DealerCarlos Santana won't spend the entire 2011 season behind the plate, as Manny Acta wants to give Santana some time at first base in order to keep his bat in the lineup.

1. Manager Manny Acta already has an assignment in mind for Mike Hargrove -- work with the first basemen, especially Matt LaPorta and Carlos Santana. Acta says he doesn't know Hargrove well, but he does know that he was a solid and smart first baseman. He is excited about having the former Tribe manager working in training camp.

2. Yes, LaPorta will be the starting first baseman, and Acta added, "He's healthy and in good shape, much different than a year ago when Matt had hip and toe surgery." But Acta also plans to play Santana at first once or twice a week. "We'll do the same thing the Indians did with Victor [Martinez]," said Acta. "We want his bat in the lineup every day, but there is no need to catch him every day."

3. Santana was signed as a third baseman (like Martinez), but played only 58 games in the minors there before being converted to catcher. Tribe coach Sandy Alomar believes Santana can be an excellent catcher because of his arm strength (he threw out 29 percent of stealing runners, well above average) and agility. But Santana played only two games at first in the minors, which is why the Indians want Hargrove to work with him.

4. In six minor-league seasons, Santana was a .290 hitter (.900 OPS). With the Indians, it was .260 (.868 OPS) in only 150 at-bats before he injured his knee. Santana has come back strong from surgery and should be ready for full duty at the start of spring training.

5. While Acta would like to believe Travis Hafner (.278, .824 OPS, 13 HR, 50 RBI) can play more than his 118 games in 2009, he knows Hafner still battles inflammation in his surgically repaired shoulder. When the Indians cut Hafner's playing time to 4-5 games a week, he batted .329 (.932 OPS) after the All-Star break. Acta would rest Hafner against lefties, having either Santana or LaPorta be the DH.

6. Not much is said about Josh Tomlin, but Acta was impressed when the rookie had a 6-4 record and a 4.56 ERA in 12 starts at the end of last season. He quickly listed Tomlin's strengths: A) Good control. B) Holds runners. C) Fields his position. D) Can start or relieve. The bottom line is Tomlin has a real chance to making the roster. The 26-year-old right-hander also was more effective against lefties (.236) than righties (.296). He threw at least five innings in all 12 of his Tribe starts.

7. Acta expects major progress from Asdrubal Cabrera. The manager says his shortstop is in better shape than a year ago. He is pushing Cabrera to take charge of the infield, something he did this winter in Venezuela. He believes the 25-year-old infielder will hit better (.276, .673 OPS) than a year ago -- when he missed six weeks after breaking his arm in a May 17 collision with Jhonny Peralta. Cabrera batted .287 before the injury, .269 after. The Indians desperately need good defense from Cabrera at short, because third base is such a huge question mark.

With poise and talent, the Buckeyes are able to fend off the Wildcats' upset bid on Saturday. Watch video

View full sizeNam Y. Huh, Associated PressAaron Craft enjoys a second-half basket as the Buckeyes went down to the final seconds with Alex Marcotullio and Northwestern Saturday at Evanston, Ill.

EVANSTON, Ill. -- Ohio State coach Thad Matta showed his team the two-year-old clip Saturday afternoon as a reminder -- John Shurna's 3-pointer with three seconds left that gave Northwestern an upset win over the Buckeyes on Feb. 18, 2009, the last time Ohio State was in Welsh-Ryan Arena.

That's what OSU junior William Buford flashed to when Northwestern's Drew Crawford released his shot from just inside halfcourt at the buzzer on Saturday.

"I thought it was deja vu and it would be the same thing," Buford said.

Crawford's desperate runner, the best shot the Buckeyes would let the Wildcats get with 3.5 seconds left, had the right distance but hit the backboard next to the rim, allowing No. 1 Ohio State to survive, 58-57, and move to 22-0 and 9-0 at the halfway point of the Big Ten season.

The result was different because these teams were different.

Northwestern (13-8, 3-7 Big Ten) this time was playing without Shurna, the 19-point scorer sidelined by a concussion. So the Wildcats were even more insistent on slowing the pace, limiting the possessions of the more-talented Buckeyes and reducing the margin of error.

Ohio State in that season was in the midst of a three-game losing streak, fighting its way to a 10-8 Big Ten record and a first-round loss in the NCAA Tournament.

Now, even after blowing a late 12-point second-half lead, just like two years ago, Ohio State is the only college basketball team in the country without a loss. Still.

"What is it, Jan. 29th and what, is there one team left that hasn't been beaten? We're going to celebrate wins. These things are difficult," Matta said. "[But] I saw enough things that upset me through the course of the game that we've got to get adjusted and get better at, and a lot of it is concentration."

Forcing the Buckeyes to play defense for 35 seconds, mentally and physically, while preventing them from getting out in transition offensively, is probably the best formula for any opponent. Matta noticed earlier in Big Ten play a reduction in the number of possessions the Buckeyes were getting each game.

Nobody in the Big Ten does that better than Northwestern.

"That's the best strategy for us," Northwestern senior guard Michael Thompson (a team-high 16 points) said. "We wanted to run clock and make them guard us every possession. I think it bothered them a little bit, but they did a good job running their halfcourt sets."

The numbers show the Buckeyes actually defended the Wildcats pretty well, limiting them to 39 percent shooting (20 of 51). Ohio State did surrender 14 back-breaking offensive rebounds, though. And the numbers show that the Buckeyes, even while scoring just two fastbreak points, were efficient with their offense, shooting 57 percent (21 of 37).

But it's more about style and tempo and feel. The Buckeyes' 37 shots tied for the fewest they've put up in Matta's seven seasons. Unless you have a couple future NBA guys, trying to score with Ohio State may be pointless. This is how No. 1 could go down.

When it mattered, the Buckeyes effectively relied on what got them this far. Buford's smooth jumpers helped fuel a 14-4 lead to open the second half. Aaron Craft (13 points) again attacked the rim for some layups. Jon Diebler's shooting, even though he took just four shots, immediately reclaimed the lead when Northwestern went ahead for the only time in the second half, as Diebler made his only 3-pointer of the game to put Ohio State up 57-55 with 3:35 to play.

David Lighty's defense led to a steal on a Northwestern backdoor pass with 15 seconds left, when the game was tied. And Jared Sullinger's inside play led to the final points, as Lighty encouraged Matta to bypass a timeout, and Sullinger was fouled inside with 3.5 seconds left, making the second of two foul shots to provide the winning margin.

"I always want the ball at the end of the game," said Sullinger, who had a game-high 21 points and eight rebounds, the Wildcats willing to give him some room inside while taking away the 3-point shot (Ohio State was just 2 of 8 on threes).

Oh yeah. Two years ago, Ohio State didn't have Sullinger, either.

Djokovic's 2008 Australian title is his other Grand Slam victory. Murray has lost three Grand Slam finals, also falling to Roger Federer in the 2008 U.S. Open and 2010 Australian Open.

Rob Griffith, Associated PressSerbia's Novak Djokovic reacts after winning the second set against Britain's Andy Murray in the men's singles final at the Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne, Australia, today.

Djokovic overcame big obstacles en route to the final, including a win over Federer in the semifinals. And this came just two months after leading Serbia to its first Davis Cup title.

"We have known each other for such a long time," Djokovic said of Murray. "It was difficult tonight."

About an hour after his win, Djokovic went out on a balcony on the concourse at Rod Laver Arena and lifted his trophy as hundreds of supporters cheered below.

There wasn't much to celebrate in Murray's camp: he's still yet to win a set in a Grand Slam final.

Last year, the Scot cried after his loss to Federer. There were no visible tears this year, but the hurt may have been just as bad after he lost seven straight games through the end of the first set and into the second and never appeared to be in the match.

"I'll try to keep it together this year," Murray said, speaking confidently and talking about "having more chances in the future" as the crowd yelled out "Andy! Andy!"

The last British man to win a Grand Slam singles title was Fred Perry in the 1936 U.S. Open — more than 270 majors ago.

"It was better than it was last year," Murray said at his media conference. "I thought Novak played unbelievably well. It's tough, but you have to deal with it."

Murray said he tried to get himself back into the match, but Djokovic defended too well.

"You always have to try to find a way, to believe," Murray said. "When I got ahead in some games, even in just points, he was sticking up lobs that were landing on the baseline, passing shots that were on the line. I broke his serve twice in the third set and still lost 6-3."

The statistics underlined Djokovic's domination. He won 11 of his 14 service games, while Murray only won six of 13, and the Serb pounded Murray's second serve, with the Scot winning just 16 of 51 points (31 percent) on his second serve.

Murray and Djokovic, each 23 and born a week apart, are good friends and often practice together. At the coin flip before the match, Djokovic smiled broadly for photos while Murray looked fidgety and nervous.

After the match, the two hugged, then Djokovic threw his racket, his shirt and then shoes into the crowd. But there was no prolonged celebration so as to not offend his opponent.

"I understand how he feels, it's his third final and he didn't get the title," Djokovic said. "As I said on the court, I really have big respect for him and his game, because I think he has everything what it takes to become a Grand Slam champion."

The roof was closed at Rod Laver Arena for most of the day due to 100-degree temperatures, but was opened just before the match started and after the weather had cooled significantly.

Trailing 5-4, Murray double-faulted to lead off the 10th game of the first set. Then he hit a backhand into the net after a 39-hit point. Murray challenged the final point of the set when he thought his forehand stayed in on the backline, but Djokovic walked away with the set in 59 minutes.

"Maybe there was a turning point in the whole match, that 5-4 game," Djokovic said. "I was a bit fortunate, I kind of anticipated well and read his intentions and played some great shots and great moments. It is a big advantage mentally when you are a set up and you are getting to the second set and really going for the shots."

Djokovic held serve on four straight points to open the second set, then went up 2-0 when he again broke Murray's service, finishing off the point when Murray's attempted drop shot was returned cross-court for a winner. Murray had five unforced errors in the first two games.

The Serb went up 3-0, then continued his domination in the next game, breaking Murray in four straight points to go up 4-0 and held for 5-0, his seventh straight game win. Murray finally stopped the streak with an ace on game point to trail 5-1, then broke Djokovic in the next game to cut it to 5-2.

Murray appeared to be having problems with his eyes, blinking often and rubbing them on changeovers and often during points. That didn't help in the next game when he again dropped serve and lost the second set in 40 minutes, Djokovic establishing set point with a memorable crosscourt winner off a near-impossible shot from Murray.

The third set started with Murray's second break of Djokovic's service in the match, but Djokovic ensure that Murray's advantage was short-lived by breaking him in the next game. After an unforced error wide, Murray pounded his fist and yelled out in disgust.

Things didn't improve for Murray, who held off six break points before Djokovic prevailed on the seventh in the fourth game, hitting a backhand down the line to pass a stretching Murray. Djokovic pumped his fist and let out a loud yell in celebration.

That, too, was short-lived, when Murray broke back in the next game to pull to 3-2, then held through two break points to level the set at 3. Late in the match, Murray appeared to clutch his lower back after a low return on the baseline.

Djokovic soon broke serve again and then served it out to win in 2 hours, 39 minutes.

Djokovic leads the head-to-head series 5-3, ending a three-match streak for Murray.

Earlier Sunday, Katarina Srebotnik of Slovenia and Daniel Nestor of Canada won the mixed double doubles championship, beating Chan Yung-jan of Taiwan and Paul Hanley of Australia 6-3, 3-6, 10-7.

Nelson left Friday night's game at Chicago midway through the first quarter with a sore right knee.

View full sizePD fileCleveland Cavaliers' Mo Williams drives around Orlando Magic's Jameer Nelson last year. Nelson will see action against the Cavs tonight.

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Orlando point guard Jameer Nelson took part in the Magic's shootaround this morning, and coach Stan Van Gundy said it looked as if Nelson would play tonight against the Cavaliers.

Nelson left Friday night's game at Chicago midway through the first quarter with a sore right knee.

"He went through the walkthrough today, so we'll see,'' Van Gundy said Sunday morning. "He did do everything this morning.''

Asked if he thought Nelson would play against the Cavs, Van Gundy said, "I would guess so from this morning. It didn't sound good before the walkthrough, but then he went through everything. He looked fine.''

The Cavs, who have lost 19 straight games to tie the team record and 22 straight games on the road to set a team record, elected not to shootaround before Sunday's game, which begins at 6 p.m.

Hosting a Super Bowl party? These days, your football-fan guests will be expecting a sweet, high-def, big-screen television.

View full sizeTed Crow, The Plain DealerThe TV itself has become a crucial part of the Super Bowl party.

Brian Heldman is hosting a Super Bowl party Sunday.

Like the rest of us, the 39-year-old from Hudson enjoys seeing his friends, eating snacks and perhaps sipping a beverage while watching the game.

But that's not why he's having people over. He has another reason, a big reason, 4¼ feet wide (measured diagonally) to be exact.

He wants to watch the biggest game of the year on a big television.

"For me, I have a 52-inch high-def, so I'm going to host the Super Bowl party just to be sure," says Heldman, a fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

He is hardly alone. Thanks to the flat-panel revolution, the television itself is being placed on a pedestal, so to speak, at Super Bowl parties. It has become, to Heldman and others, the most important part of the party, ahead of food, drinks, and, yes, even friends and family.

If you went to a football party in 2004, chances are you would have been watching a standard-definition tube set. The average screen size of a new TV then was 27 inches, according to Paul Gagnon, director of North America TV research for DisplaySearch, which tracks the industry.

The average size of a TV purchased in 2011 will be 37 inches, says Gagnon. And all sets sold today are flat-screen.

And how does the Super Bowl on a giant, bright, high-definition television compare to the game on an old-fashioned tube set?

"It takes watching football at home to another level," Heldman says.

For the first time, it no longer seems like there is a screen between the viewer and the action, says Elisha Unger, a sales supervisor at Best Buy in Avon.

"When you're watching the game," she says, "it's like you're there."

For football fans who have enjoyed high-def action on a screen almost 2 yards wide, the thought of going back to the dark days of fuzzy tube TV is unthinkable. If they're going to a Super Bowl party, they're expecting a good TV.

Unger sees it at her store.

"Customers come in and say they're hosting a party and need a nice television," she says. "There is an increasing number of individuals coming in seeking to expand in the television arena right before the Super Bowl."

These customers are buying bigger sets, too, 46 inches and up, says Unger.

She agrees that the TV itself has become more crucial on Super Sunday the past few years.

"It has become significantly important," she adds. "Whoever has the best TV, that's probably where you're going -- bragging rights with your friends, right?"

About 4.5 million Americans will buy new TVs in the days leading up to Sunday's Super Bowl, according to a survey from the Retail Advertising and Marketing Association. Compare that to 3.6 million who bought new TVs before last year's game and 2.7 million who did in 2009.

Associated Press fileHigh-def is the only way to feel like you're really there rooting for Packers or the Steelers in this year's Super Bowl.

High-definition televisions are in more than 60 percent of American households, says Gagnon.

Goosing this cultural shift are the prices. As TVs have gotten bigger and better, they've also gotten cheaper.

"If you look back to 2004, the first year we began tracking flat-panel TV shipments," says Gagnon, "a 32-inch LCD TV went for $3,500. Today, you can buy one for less than $400."

That's a price drop of almost 90 percent, and Gagnon expects the price of these sets to continue falling at their annual rate of 15 percent to 20 percent, or more.

But until penetration hits 100 percent, there's going to be a bit of unease for football fans who are invited to a Super Bowl party where the TV situation is an unknown.

Do you ask the host for a screen measurement before you RSVP?

"There's probably no way to ask that without sounding like a jerk," Heldman says. "I probably wouldn't do it."

But, he admits, he'd probably want to.

"Especially if it's your team playing."

Most tickets and sponsorships were sold, and a TV deal in place, before LeBron James left. Contracts of James, Shaquiile O'Neal and Zydrunas Ilgauskas, with luxury tax payments, are off the books.

Plain Dealer file Most of the tickets for Cavaliers games this season were sold before LeBron James left the team.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The departure of LeBron James, Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Shaquille O'Neal and Delonte West, combined with a siege of injuries, has the Cleveland Cavaliers in position to challenge for their worst record ever -- 15-67.

Forbes reported that the value of the Cavaliers franchise, mostly due to James leaving Cleveland as a free agent for the Miami Heat, has dropped from $476 million to $355 million.

The plunge has left the Cavs with the 15th most valuable franchise in the 30-team NBA, compared with a No. 4 standing a year ago.

In another Forbes report, Kurt Badenhausen writes that -- at least temporarily -- financial matters are not especially depressing for owner Dan Gilbert's team:

The Cavaliers will be one of the NBA’s most profitable teams for this season after barely breaking even the past two years playing before a full-house each night and hosting 13 playoffs games with LeBron. Only the New York Knicks and Chicago Bulls will likely make more money this season.

Here is how the math works. We figure the Cavs generated $161 million in revenue last season. That number will drop by $10 million to $15 million at the most this season. The biggest hit to revenues will be from the team sitting out the playoffs. Fewer people are showing up at the arena to watch this year’s squad, cutting concession and merchandise revenue. These no-shows have paid for tickets though as the team recently had its 100th straight sellout at Quicken Loans Arena (most tickets were sold before James made his decision).

Sponsorship revenues have held up thanks to deals with KeyBank, Anheuser-Busch, Kia Motor, Cub Cadet and others. Luxury suite and club seat inventory was mostly sold on multi-year deals that were locked-up before James departed. The team is in the middle of a multi-year deal to air its games on Fox Sports Ohio that is worth $25 million annually on average.

The big change is on the expense side of the ledger. Gilbert sacrificed profits the past two years as he attempted to win an NBA title and convince James to re-sign with the team. The Cavs spent $184 million on players and benefits over two season, more than any other franchise. In addition the team paid a combined $30 million in taxes for exceeding the luxury tax threshold both years.

Payroll is down $32 million this season and the team will not be on the hook for a $15.9 million luxury tax payment as it was for the 2009-10 season (tip of the hat to Larry Coon and his Salary Cap FAQ website which is a must read for anyone interested in NBA economics). Avoiding the tax also means the Cavs will collect a check from the NBA that every non-taxpaying team gets (last year it was $3.7 million funded by the taxpaying teams). The upshot is that the Cavaliers should see operating profits of more than $40 million this season after earning $2.6 million last year by our count.

Badenhausen does caution, though, that beyond this season, the Cavaliers' financial well-being will be subject to a much different set of dynamics. Also, of course, the collective bargaining agreement between the league and the players expires after this season. Whatever impact a work stoppage of whatever length might have on teams' short- and long-term finances can't be predicted.

Badenhausen writes that for the first time since the Cavaliers took James with the first pick in the 2003 draft, they will have to sell "tickets, suites and sponsorships" without him on the roster. He also mentions that Gilbert has said ticket prices will go down.

Bubba Watson in position to win Farmers Insurance Open, while Jhonattan Vegas and Phil Mickelson try to catch him. Woods, winless since 2009, played his last two rounds in 5-over par.

Associated PressTiger Woods, in contention after the first two rounds of the Farmers Insurance Open, struggled in the final two rounds.

SAN DIEGO, California – Tiger Woods began a new year with his worst season debut.

Woods failed to birdie a par 5 for the second time this week and closed with a 3-over 75 on Sunday in the Farmers Insurance Open, ending his five-tournament winning streak at Torrey Pines with a middle-of-the-pack finish.

"I have some work to do," Woods said. "There's no doubt about that."

The biggest surprise of his 74-75 on the South Course is that Woods had won seven times on this public course, including the 2008 U.S. Open. He had never finished out of the top 10 in the PGA Tour event at Torrey Pines.

This week, he looked liked anyone else.

Woods was out of the top 40 when he completed his final round, with the leaders just making the turn. He had never finished out of the top 10 in stroke play to start a season, and his worst result for a debut was two years ago in the Match Play Championship, where he lost in the second round and tied for 17th.

That was his first event after missing eight months following reconstructive knee surgery.

Woods opened Sunday with two short irons inside 10 feet, missing both birdie putts. On the par-4 fourth, he nearly holed a long birdie attempt, then missed the 3 1/2-foot par putt.

"I hit it as pure as I could possibly hit it starting out, and got nothing out of it," Woods said. "As the round went on, I progressively got worse with my golf swing. And ironically enough, felt better and better with the putter. So it's one of those things."

But these things never seem to happen at Torrey Pines.

Woods won the Buick Invitational four straight times starting in 2005. He had never finished more than four shots out of the lead, but he was 13 out when he finished, the kind of deficit he experienced so much of last year.

Much more was expected considering how Woods finished last year, putting together three of his best rounds at the Chevron World Challenge until blowing a four-shot lead on the final day and losing to U.S. Open champion Graeme McDowell in a playoff.

Woods was five shots behind going into the weekend at Torrey Pines and never got any closer.

For the fourth time in as many rounds, he failed to post the low round in his group. Anthony Kim was better the first two rounds, Jhonattan Vegas and Kevin Sutherland had better scores on Saturday, and PGA Tour rookie Brendan Steele shot a bogey-free 70 on Sunday.

How close is Woods to getting his form back?

"It's progressing," he said. "It's one of those things where I don't know where the end is. You never know where the end is until you're done with your playing career."

He now returns home to the practice range for a week before playing in the Dubai Desert Classic, where he has won twice and has never finished out of the top five.

<P>ORLANDO, Fla. -- Notes and observations from the Cavs game against the Orlando Magic on Sunday at Amway Center:</P> Halftime update: Magic 56, Cavs 43. Dwight Howard is the starting center for the East All-Stars and has two inches and 30 pounds on J.J. Hickson, so the fact that he had 16 points and 14 rebounds in the first...

<P>ORLANDO, Fla. -- Notes and observations from the Cavs game against the Orlando Magic on Sunday at Amway Center:</P>

Halftime update: Magic 56, Cavs 43. Dwight Howard is the starting center for the East All-Stars and has two inches and 30 pounds on J.J. Hickson, so the fact that he had 16 points and 14 rebounds in the first half is no surprise. Cavs just have no answer inside for the Magic, whose advantage in the paint has grown to 38-20. But Orlando shot just 33 percent in the second quarter (9 of 27) so Cavs are still in it...theoretically. Hickson and Antawn Jamison are 0 for 10 with one point (by Jamison.) Christian Eyenga remains the Cavs leading scorer, although all of his 9 points came in the first quarter.

First quarter update: Magic 33, Cavs 19. The Magic overpowered the Cavs inside and shot 66.7 percent, thanks to a ton of layups and dunks. Orlando led in points in the paint, 24-6, and on second-chance points, 6-0, thanks to a 16-8 edge on the boards. Surprisingly, for the league leader in 3-pointers made and attempted, the Magic made just 1 of 3 in the first quarter. The Cavs, however, shot 29.2 percent, and Antawn Jamison was 0 for 7. Christian Eyenga had 9 points to lead Cleveland.

<P>Cavs starters: F Christian Eyenga, F Antawn Jamison, C J.J. Hickson, G Manny Harris, G Ramon Sessions.</P>
<P>Magic starters: F Hedo Turkoglu, F Brandon Bass, C Dwight Howard, G Jameer Nelson, G Jason Richardson.</P>
<P>Injuries: Leon Powe (right knee surgery), Anderson Varejao (torn tendon, right foot) and Mo Williams (left hip flexor strain) are out for Cavs. Daniel Orton (left knee surgery), Gilbert Arenas (sore left knee)  out for Magic.</P>
<P>Inactives: Powe, Varejao and Williams for Cavs. Orton for Magic.</P>
<P>Officials: Monty McCutchen, David Guthrie and Derek Richardson.</P>
<P>Three things to watch: </P>
<P>1. J.J. Hickson has been playing great and rebounding well since being moved to center 10 games ago, but how will he do against All-Star Dwight Howard?</P>
<P>2. Magic coach Stan Van Gundy has been nagging his team about improving its defense. (Sound familiar?) Will this be the game the Magic respond?</P>
<P>3. This sounds like trouble, given the Cavs perimeter defense _ Orlando leads the league in 3-pointers made and attempted.</P>

Cleveland, Ohio -- Give NFL players credit for the trap they're setting.  In-house bickering. Threatening to throw down. Going all Jerry Springer show on each other.  "Somebody ask [Antonio] Cromartie if he knows what CBA stands for," Matt Hasselbeck Tweeted, after the Jets' cornerback called both sides in the impending labor Armageddon an ugly name.  Hasselbeck quickly erased his...

Cleveland, Ohio -- Give NFL players credit for the trap they're setting. 

In-house bickering. Threatening to throw down. Going all Jerry Springer show on each other. 

"Somebody ask [Antonio] Cromartie if he knows what CBA stands for," Matt Hasselbeck Tweeted, after the Jets' cornerback called both sides in the impending labor Armageddon an ugly name. 

Hasselbeck quickly erased his post, but he had to know the cattiness was out of the bag. 

"Don't erase it. I will smash ur face in," Tweeted Cromartie. 

OK, boys, you got owners on the heels of their Berluti loafers. Now grab those "Union Solidarity" signs and push 'em back, shove 'em back, waaaaaay back. 

Brilliant stuff. 

Faking disharmony. Getting the owners all soft and overconfident in advance of the March 4 expiration of the Collective Bargaining Agreement. It's Muhammad Ali's rope-a-dope strategy all over again except the blows are self-inflicted. 

Complacency creeps in. The owners start cashing their $4 billion safety net from TV revenue and bam! The players dig in like bed bugs and swarm, swarm, swarm. 

That's it, right? Because even by NFL Players Association standards for coming apart at the seams in previous labor cave-ins, these guys don't exactly look cohesive. 

Let's put it this way. If it's not an act, this is headed toward the biggest mismatch since Fernando Vina tried to tag Albert Belle. 

The players in any labor dispute get no support from fans. Name the sport. It doesn't happen. 

People don't grow up dreaming of being owners. They don't go into their back yards or to the sandlot with 12 of their friends and pretend they're in the owner's loge with a security detail on one side of them and a plate of bluefin tuna on the other. 

They pretend to catch TD passes in the Super Bowl, hit walk-off home runs in the World Series and buzzer-beaters in the NBA Finals. 

If they're fans of the 2011 Cavaliers, they downgrade their big dreams to maybe winning the jump ball. But it's the same concept. 

They'd play in the NFL for free (or so they delude themselves). So players always come off as greedy to them, even if it's the owners locking out the players. That's the expected scenario this time. 

I'm with the NFL players. Their careers are short. Their fame is fleeting. "Pants on the Ground" guy had longer lasting fame. 

NFL players risk serious injury in ways MLB and NBA players don't, and do so without guaranteed contracts. Those are the same reasons they don't stick together long when labor issues threaten their livelihood. 

What's more, there are 1,500 players to keep in line. There are 32 owners. 

Fortunately for a union preaching solidarity, only one of those players is Cromartie. 

"To tell you the truth, they need to get their damn minds together and get this [expletive] done," Cromartie said of players and owners. "Stop [griping] about money. Money ain't nothing. Money can be here and gone. 

"Us players, we want to go out and play football. It's something we've been doing and we love it and enjoy it. It's our livelihood." 

This, of course, is a guy who griped about San Diego's training camp food when he played for the Chargers. 

"Man we have 2 have the most nasty food of any team. . . . Maybe that's y we can't [get] the Super Bowl we need," he Tweeted. 

Money ain't nothing. But if the grilled chicken tastes like rubber, now that's a fight he can get behind. 

Unfortunately for players, Cromartie's words on the labor front mirror the opinion of the majority of fans. The pressure will mount on locked-out players at home and every time they go out in public. 

History tells us the union won't hold strong. Unless the recent backbiting among players is an act. Unless somewhere behind the scenes Cromartie has just rented "Norma Rae" for 1,500 of his closest friends. 

No. 1. Pitt No. 2 Kansas No. 3 Ohio State No. 4 Texas Houston! We've got a problem. Who is No. 4? Duke has played itself out of that spot after taking a Sunday spanking at the hands of middling St. John's. But where do we go from here? The first look is toward the Big East, and certainly...

No. 1. Pitt

No. 2 Kansas

No. 3 Ohio State

No. 4 Texas

Houston! We've got a problem. Who is No. 4? Duke has played itself out of that spot after taking a Sunday spanking at the hands of middling St. John's. But where do we go from here? The first look is toward the Big East, and certainly arguments can be made for a handful of those teams, including UConn, with three and four losses.

But even with a Saturday loss, BYU (20-2) should be in the discussion as well as Texas (18-3) which has a road win over Kansas. No matter who gets to be No. 4, since the NCAA seeds on an "S" curve, No. 5 (take your pick of Duke, UConn, BYU at this point) will be right beneath No. 4, which makes for a very tough bracket.

With no threat rising in the Big Ten to challenge Ohio State, the Buckeyes could ultimately slide into the No. 1 spot. If they remain undefeated.

But that fourth slot now looks like it will be rotating hands at least a few more times before Selection Sunday.

ON THE BUBBLE Florida State (15-6) Conference: Atlantic Coast RPIratings.com: 50 Good win: Duke Bad loses: Butler, Auburn, Virginia Tech Still to play: North Carolina twice. The endgame: Considering the Seminoles won the only game this season with Duke, that will be a star win for the season. However, with the losses FSU has had to unranked teams in...

ON THE BUBBLE

Florida State (15-6)

Conference: Atlantic Coast

RPIratings.com: 50

Good win: Duke

Bad loses: Butler, Auburn, Virginia Tech

Still to play: North Carolina twice.

The endgame: Considering the Seminoles won the only game this season with Duke, that will be a star win for the season. However, with the losses FSU has had to unranked teams in (two) and out of conference, this team can't afford any more major slipups. Take care of business everywhere else, and at least split the two games with the Tar Heels, and the 'Noles look solid for the NCAA Tournament. But another second-division ACC loss could make that Duke win null and void.