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Byron Scott says defense is emphasis for rest of season: Cavaliers Insider

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Coach's goal for last 30 games is to cut down opponent field-goal percentage.

hickson-prince-horiz-jk.jpgView full sizeJ.J. Hickson battles with Detroit's Tayshaun Prince for a loose ball during the first quarter of Wednesday night's game at The Q.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Byron Scott has one goal for the 30 remaining games in the Cavaliers' season.

He said Wednesday that he would consider the final stretch a success if the team reduced opponents' field-goal percentage to 46 for the year. Prior to the game against Detroit, Cavs opponents were shooting 47.9 percent.

"That's the first order of business," Scott said before tipoff. "The second order of business is to see how we've improved individually, how are young guys have improved and how we've improved as a team. Then we'll start talking about offense and all that other stuff. The first order of business is to see how we've improved on the defensive end."

Scott said he would not tie success to victories.

"If we've shown improvement, then the wins will start to come," he said. "We're doing a better job on the defensive end of getting stops, we're running the floor better. We're getting transition baskets and things like that. But I want to go back and look at the numbers on the defensive end because I think that's the reason why all that happens."

MYOB: As a coach who has clashed occasionally with stars such as Jason Kidd, Scott wants no part of a discussion about the relationship between Pistons coach John Kuester and guard Rip Hamilton.

Hamilton, a fixture in Detroit's lineup, has played in just 35 games this season. At one time he was thought to be part of a multi-team deal involving Carmelo Anthony, and the Pistons were thought to be holding him out to prevent injury. That didn't happen, and he still sat. Then he did play and hurt his groin.

"I just shake my head," Scott said. "Q [Kuester] is a great guy. I've been around Rip enough to know he's a good person. Something is going on, obviously. They're not meshing real well. But I don't pay a whole lot of attention to what's going on with other teams. ... That's a tough situation for both. I know both guys and they're both great people. I don't understand it, but I don't try to, either."

Black Achievement Night: The seventh annual Black Heritage Celebration will continue on Friday, when the Cavs will honor former Cleveland athletes and leaders including ex-Browns Greg Pruitt and Joe "Turkey" Jones, ex-Indian Andre Thornton, Paul Hill, CEO/President of East End Neighborhood House, and Dianne McIntyre, an accomplished dancer, director and choreographer.


Kent State maintains domination of MAC West foes, breezes past Eastern Michigan, 80-70

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The Flashes have won five games in a row, and hold a half-game lead over Buffalo in the MAC East.

Joe Magill

Special to The Plain Dealer

KENT, Ohio -- Geno Ford aside, the East Division is the NBA of the Mid-American Conference, while the West is the D-League.

Actually, the Kent State coach was in prime position to explain why the East swept the West Wednesday night in five conference crossover games, but in typical Ford fashion, he took the high road.

"I really don't have a theory on that," said Ford after Kent State downed visiting Eastern Michigan, 80-70, to give their coach a 17-0 record versus West teams. "There are plenty of teams in the West who can beat any of the teams in the East."

They just can't beat Kent State, which has won 21 in a row against the West and hasn't lost a crossover game in three years. The Flashes, who have won five games in a row, hold a half-game lead over Buffalo with a 7-2 league mark. Kent now enters a crucial stretch with the next four games on the road.

It appeared the streak might be in jeopardy early on, as the Eagles jumped to a 10-2 lead. However, Kent slowly pulled even by pounding the ball inside to Justin Greene, who scored 19 points in the first half and finished with 23.

"That's pretty much true for this team in every game," Ford said. "We do most of our scoring from five feet and in. It's not just Justin. We have other guys who can post up and we also drive well to the basket."

The Flashes took their first lead on a jumper from Glenville's Randal Holt, making it 24-22. The lead got as big as 16 and Kent pretty much cruised, leaving Ford less than pleased.

"I thought our defensive mentality as a basketball team stunk," he said. "I thought our guys were content to trade baskets. We didn't grind on defense as we have been."

Greene had a very productive night, adding eight rebounds, three assists and two blocks. He was backed by Michael Porrini with 15 points and eight assists, Carlton Guyton with 13 points and five assists off the bench, and 11 points from Holt.

"I was really comfortable out there, especially in the first half," said Greene, who ranks in the top six in the conference in scoring, rebounding and blocks. "The shots were falling. My teammates recognized that they were covering me one-on-one without a double team and they got me the ball."

Eastern's Brandon Bowdry scored the Eagles' first seven points. The 6-6 senior ended the night with 25 points, but the only other EMU player to reach double figures was Antonio Green, who came off the bench to score 11 second-half points.

"We knew [Bowdry] was the kind of player who would get a lot of shots," said Porrini, who spent some time guarding the MAC's second-leading scorer. "We knew we had to control him as best we could and then not let anybody else hurt us."

Joe Magill is a freelance writer based in Cleveland.

Cvetinovic powers Akron past Western Michigan, 83-71

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Akron (13-10, 5-5) remains two games back of second in the MAC East, and still has hopes of earning a first-round tournament bye.

AKRON, Ohio -- The Akron Zips backed up some inspired play from junior forward Nik Cvetinovic with enough defense and bench scoring to dismiss Western Michigan Wednesday night, 83-71, to stay in step with their brethren in the Mid-American Conference's East Division.

Akron (13-10, 5-5) remains at the back of the East pack, one game removed from fourth place and two games back of second with just one cross division game remaining, Saturday against West-leading Ball State.

With the four other East teams all winning on Wednesday, the Zips' division hopes would have been dashed with a loss.

"We faced a very, very hungry team," Western Michigan head coach Steve Hawkins said, adding this late into conference play there are no longer any secrets between teams. "It's a big chess match now. Trying to find a way to hide weaknesses and maximize strengths."

For the Zips, the strength is Cvetinovic. The junior from Serbia finished with 17 points and five rebounds as Akron won the rebound battle, 33-32, and held WMU to 40.4 percent shooting, including 0-for-12 on 3-pointers.

"It's time," Cvetinovic said. "Our backs are against the wall. It's time to switch the tables and finish strong.

"We want to get [a first-round bye in the MAC tournament]. That's the most important thing right now. There's still a chance for a 20-win season. It's big. It's crucial. I think the guys are feeling it. Need to keep it coming, and keep it rolling."

If not for Flenard Whitfield's career-high 23 points and Demetrius Ward dropping a career-high 26 points, Akron would have had little trouble with the Broncos (12-10, 5-4).

"We got a chance to beat anybody; got a chance to lose to anybody," Akron head coach Keith Dambrot said. "We're not far from being a good team. We have to continue to guard."

Akron's 37-28 halftime lead came courtesy of Cvetinovic, who reversed an 11-7 Western Michigan lead by taking the ball inside for layups and jump hooks.

The anticipated battle between Akron's 7-0 sophomore Zeke Marshall and WMU's 6-10, 270-pound Matt Stainbrook was effectively a stalemate. Marshall finished with five points and five rebounds, while Stainbrook, from St. Edward High, finished with two points and seven boards.

Sloppy from start to finish, Cleveland Cavaliers drop 26th straight, 103-94, to Detroit

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Cavaliers tie the all-time major professional sports record for consecutive losses, set by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in their first two years of existence in 1976-77.

eyenga-vert-pistons-jk.jpgView full sizeChristian Eyenga can barely stand to watch in the fourth quarter Wednesday night as the Detroit Pistons pull away for a 103-94 victory -- the Cavaliers' 26th consecutive defeat.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- How is it possible, when a team has lost 25 straight games, to come out with the sort of performance the Cavaliers put forth in Wednesday night's 103-94 loss to the Detroit Pistons at The Q?

This shell of a basketball team absorbed its 26th straight loss, tying the all-time professional sports record set by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in their first two years of existence in 1976-77.

The performance was so bad that coach Byron Scott threw a fit at halftime and another one after the game, when he kept the locker room closed for 30 minutes.

But, frankly, he is at a loss to explain what is happening.

"I'm mad as hell because ... I can deal with losing, especially when our guys play as hard as they have in the last couple weeks," he said. "But I find it very hard to deal with when guys don't come out ready to play."

You may recall that John McKay, the coach of that Buccaneers team, was asked after one defeat about the execution of his offense. "I'm in favor of it," he said.

Cavs fans likely would not be in favor of their team's offense -- or defense -- receiving a stay of execution after Wednesday night's debacle, The loss dropped the Cavs, who also have lose 36 of their past 37, to a league-worst 8-45 that includes 11 straight losses at home.

Not surprisingly, players don't seem to have any explanation for such a lapse in the middle of an epic losing streak -- they can't quite figure why they fell behind by 16 points in the first half.

"I asked myself that question after the game, but somehow we managed to do it," said J.J. Hickson, who finished with 18 points and 15 rebounds. "That first half was crazy."

This game went beyond statistics or individual matchups. The Cavs were out-rebounded, 44-28, including 17-7 on the offensive end. They had 17 turnovers that led to 24 points for the Pistons. Rodney Stuckey took advantage of Daniel Gibson to score 22 points and help the Detroit bench to a 61-17 edge.

It's worth noting all were points of emphasis in Scott's pre-game talk, points that apparently went up in smoke during the pre-game introductions.

"I thought we took a gigantic step backwards and it was all because of lack of effort," the coach said. "We had no sense of urgency whatsoever, and that kind of amazes me. When we've lost as many in a row as we lost and when you've been as close as we've been in the last four or five games and to be at home and come out the way we came out -- that amazes me."

Amazing, indeed.

But when the NBA marketing wizards coined that catchy slogan, "Where amazing happens," this is not exactly what they had in mind.

Status of Richmond Heights coach remains undecided after meeting

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CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The status of Richmond Heights boys basketball coach Jason Popp did not change Wednesday, despite a public meeting that lasted approximately three hours. Popp still wants to coach, and an undetermined number of players and many parents want him dismissed. Superintendent Linda T. Hardwick, who will make the decision, said she was going to do more...

Jason Popp listened to complaints during Wednesday's meeting, but did not apologize, according to some parents of players on the team. - (Thomas Ondrey / The Plain Dealer)

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The status of Richmond Heights boys basketball coach Jason Popp did not change Wednesday, despite a public meeting that lasted approximately three hours.

Popp still wants to coach, and an undetermined number of players and many parents want him dismissed. Superintendent Linda T. Hardwick, who will make the decision, said she was going to do more research.

"The kids still want to play," said Rick Early, father of junior Jordan Early. "But, there are a number of us who feel that it is time for coach Popp to step down, for the good of the team and the community.

"The players have lost a lot of respect for him. They feel he has broke their spirit."

Hardwick said she hoped to make a decision today.

"There are a number of issues and it would be unfair for me to comment on just one," she said. "I have a whole stack of notes and I am going to go home and look them over before reaching a decision."

The Spartans are scheduled to host Independence on Friday.

Popp has been under fire since Monday for allegedly using racially insensitive and vulgar language in the presence of the players, and for being overly critical despite the team's success.

Early and several other parents said Popp admitted to some of his transgressions but did not apologize during the meeting. Popp, in his fourth season, was accompanied by an attorney who did not speak.

The basketball team, competing in the smallest division in Ohio, has a 15-0 record and is ranked sixth in the state by the Associated Press.

In a letter sent to Hardwick and distributed to several media outlets, parents called for Popp's immediate dismissal. Hardwick, in her second year as head of the 1,300-student district, took a softer stance and encouraged both sides of talk out their issues and concerns.

"The whole team was there and we all talked," said junior London Fulton. "Hopefully, we'll have an exact answer [today]."

Fulton's father, Alvin, said, "Some progress was made but it's still to be continued."

A security guard and several Richmond Heights police officers stood at the entrance to the Board of Education building, permitting only Richmond Heights residents and the school's basketball team and their parents admission. Media were not permitted inside the building.

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

The NFL is too self-absorbed to avoid labor strife? Say it isn't so: Bud Shaw's Sports Spin

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Would NFL owners and players really mess up such a good thing? Be afraid, be very afraid, Bud Shaw writes in his Spin column.

goodell-rodgers-horiz-xlv-mct.jpgView full sizeThe handshakes and confetti hadn't finished falling at Cowboys Stadium before Aaron Rodgers, commissioner Roger Goodell and the rest of the NFL faced the task of not killing the golden goose.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The good thing is the NFL has never been more popular. The bad news comes if the NFL suspects its popularity makes it bulletproof.

The NFL is the richest, most popular boy in school. Now we find out if he's unmatched in street smarts, too, or if all the fawning and eyelash batting has gone to his head and convinced him he can do no wrong.

Super Bowl XLV was the most watched TV show in history. Some of that interest had to do with the commercials and -- at least for a fleeting few minutes -- the desire to see if Black Eyed Peas were there to entertain or if they were angling to get beamed to the Starship Enterprise. A real-time poll of viewers favored matter transportation.

But by most measures, the game has never been more popular, and that's a little scary as the owners and players threaten to huff and puff and blow each other's houses down. Owners might just think fans will be waiting for them as eager as ever when the lockout ends and a new collective bargaining agreement is reached.

Other than here in Cleveland -- where people got their hearts ripped out in 1995 and held candlelight vigils to win back the right to pay for PSLs and a new stadium -- where does the NFL come off thinking we're hopelessly addicted to what it's selling?

Already emboldened by billions in TV money to help them ride out the storm, owners don't seem particularly worried about the PR hit. They know, of course, the players always take the brunt of that, even if the owners are locking out their employees.

Major League Baseball wasn't nearly as popular as the NFL when it killed the 1994 World Series. It needed the Steroid Era to sell it after.

You'd like to think the owners recognize the wave of goodwill and popularity they're riding and would adopt the Hippocratic oath to do no harm to a loyal (and growing) fan base instead of adopting the Oath of Hypocrisy by crying poor, taking their ball and getting a limo ride home.

You'd like to think behind closed doors they've agreed to protect the 2011 season at all costs. Because the game isn't in financial ruins.

You'd like to think the people negotiating this agreement wouldn't mess up such a good thing. After all, it's all about the customers, right?

OK, except the ones told their $800 Super Bowl tickets in Dallas didn't come with a place to sit down.

Be afraid. Be very afraid.

He should either coach the Cavs, seek psychological help or both.

Former NFL coach Herm Edwards used ESPN SportsCenter the morning after the Cavaliers' historic loss to the Dallas Mavericks to deliver a pep talk to our beleaguered boys in wine and gold.

"You know how to play basketball, you've been doing this your whole life. If you weren't winners, you wouldn't have gotten to this level," Edwards said.

Edwards has always been a never-say-die kind of guy. Who knows, it might stem from the Miracle of the Meadowlands in 1978 when, as a cornerback for the Philadelphia Eagles, Edwards scooped up a botched handoff from Giants' quarterback Joe Pisarcik to Larry Csonka when the Giants only needed to take a knee to win. His return for touchdown erased the Giants' victory.

But I think Edwards misspoke in his pep talk.

I think he meant to say, "If LeBron James, Shaquille O'Neal, Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Delonte West, Anderson Varejao and Mo Williams weren't gone or hurt, you wouldn't have gotten to this level."

Actually, A-Rod is so pretentious he would've preferred to be fed grapes while Cameron Diaz fanned him.


Alex Rodriguez supposedly went "ballistic" according to one report when Super Bowl cameras found him just as actress Diaz fed him popcorn. The report said Rodriguez sought assurance he wouldn't be on camera again.

Go ahead. Make fun of him. He's an easy target. But he deserves some empathy and empathy for the rich and famous is right in Spin's wheelhouse. It's what Spin does best.

Poor guy goes to an out-of-the-way place like the site of the Super Bowl, finds a quiet seat in the front row of a luxury box, settles in next to one of the world's most recognizable and desirable actresses and still can't get the privacy he deserves.

Don't you hate when your actress girlfriend or supermodel girlfriend gives your buddies something to tease you about?

It's why I try to never be seen with Brooklyn Decker or Jennifer Aniston in public.

kaufman-mug.jpgView full sizeA deceased comedian who was once a big hit.

SEPARATED AT BIRTH

Triplets. Omar Epps, Mike Tomlin and Will.i.am -- Trudy Barnard

Golfer Bubba Watson and the late Andy Kaufman. -- Dave Boettner

SEPARATED AT BIRTH CERTIFICATE

Golfer Jhonny Vegas and Jhonny Peralta -- Tom

HE SAID WHAT

"I'm praying for you. I've said a prayer. I know things look bleak but it will be answered." -- Reggie Miller to Cavaliers' fans via a conference call.

watson-mug-golf.jpgView full sizeA golfer who's a big hitter (with some big hair).

Sure, now they're playing teams they can beat. Where was Miller when Ryan Hollins needed to buck long odds and win a jump ball against 6-2 Dallas guard Jason Terry?

YOU SAID IT

(The Expanded Mid-Week Edition)

"Bud:

"Did you hear about the new sports store opening in downtown Cleveland? Nothing is over $19.64." -- Joe S.

Except Dan Gilbert's latest line of Benedict Arnold Fatheads selling for $19.84, the year of LeBron' birth.

"Bud:

"I read the Yankees signed Bartolo Colon, Mark Prior and Freddy Garcia to minor-league contracts. Does this mean they will no longer be calling up pitchers from the Indians' rotation late in the season?" -- Jim O, Chardon

No, signing Colon and Garcia just means Brian Cashman is a fan of the movie "Cocoon."

"Bud:

"A recent PD article stated that, after 2.5 billion years of rapid star building, the universe has slowed its activity and is now in a 'middle-age slump.' How long did it take to reach your middle-age slump?" -- Bob K, Parma

I skipped the star building phase, so not long at all.

"Bud:

"Seems to me Cleveland sports fans are stuck in a bad 'Groundhog Day' movie scenario. Any truth that you use past columns you've written and just change the names?" -- Doug, Westake

To Whom it May Concern: Sometimes.

"Bud:

"Any truth to the rumor that Byron Scott will coach both teams at the NBA All-Star Game since neither will play any defense?" -- Tom S, Seven Hills

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

"Bud:

"Do you think the Indians' relocation of spring training to Goodyear and their propensity to sign major-league retreads is related?" -- Vince G., Cincinnati

Repeat winners receive Russell Branyan's spot in the batting order.

Finding the winners, losers and the disinterested in baseball's off-season: Paul Hoynes analysis

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Here's a look at how teams fared with their off-season transactions in preparation for 2011.

crawford-rays-vert-ap.jpgView full sizeA slashing extra-base machine with great speed and defensive skills, Carl Crawford is a prime-time addition to a loaded Boston lineup in 2011.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- There's an old saying in baseball that you don't win a pennant in December. It's a reference to the belief that pennants are won on the field, not with off-season free-agent signings and trades.

Still, shifts in talent certainly can help. With spring camps opening next week in Arizona and Florida, here's a look at the five teams that did the most to improve themselves, the five teams who were hurt the most and a couple of teams that did their best to ignore the off-season completely.

The winners

1. Red Sox: After missing the postseason for only the second time in the last eight years, GM Theo Epstein signed outfielder Carl Crawford (seven years, $142 million), traded for first baseman Adrian Gonzalez and signed Bobby Jenks (two years, $12 million) to set up Jonathan Papelbon.

If Dustin Pedroia, Kevin Youkilis, Jacoby Ellsbury and Josh Beckett can stay healthy, this is a team that could win it all.

2. White Sox: When last season ended, manager Ozzie Guillen felt that Chicago was going to start over with young players. Instead GM Kenny Williams signed 1B/DH Adam Dunn, relievers Jesse Crain and Will Ohman and re-signed free agents A.J. Pierzynski and Paul Konerko.

They're going to have to settle on a closer between Chris Sale and Matt Thornton, but Chicago will be a factor in the AL Central.

3. Phillies: GM Ruben Amaro shocked his peers when he was able to sign free agent left-hander Cliff Lee after trading him to Seattle the winter before. The rotation of Roy Halladay, Roy Oswalt, Cole Hamels and Lee will be fun to watch.

The offense will miss Jayson Werth, but manager Charlie Manuel could make it back to the World Series for the third time in the last four years.

4. Brewers: GM Doug Melvin improved one of the game's worst pitching staffs through trades, not free agency. He acquired former Cy Young winner Zack Greinke from Kansas City and Shaun Marcum from Toronto to strengthen his rotation. The moves took a toll on the farm system, but the Brewers are in a win-now mode.

5. Blue Jays: Second-year GM Alex Anthopoulos unloaded over $80 million of salary when he sent center fielder Vernon Wells to the Angels in a surprise trade in January to culminate a busy off-season. He brought in Octavio Dotel, Jon Rauch and Frank Francisco for the bullpen.

The losers

colon-redsox-08-vert-ap.jpgView full sizeBartolo Colon has thrown 101 big-league innings over the last two seasons. As a fall-back option for the Yankees after failing to sign Cliff Lee, Colon is ... quite a fall off.

1. Rays: Yes, they signed free agents Johnny Damon and Manny Ramirez, but that was for flash, not substance. After leading the AL in victories last year, the Rays lost Carl Crawford, first baseman Carlos Pena and relievers Joaquin Benoit, Rafael Soriano, Dan Wheeler, Chad Qualls and Grant Balfour, among others, to free agency. They were forced to trade shortstop Jason Bartlett and starter Matt Garza as the payroll was reduced.

The Rays are still a good team because of their organization depth, but this winter did not help them.

2. Yankees: They still have more money than anyone else, but it didn't do them much good in landing the one player they needed -- Lee. The former Indian thumbed his nose at the Bronx Bombers and took less money to sign with the Phillies. Now the Yankees are trying to fill out their rotation with Bartolo Colon and Freddy Garcia.

3. Angels: They supposedly wanted Carl Crawford or Adrian Beltre, but swung and missed. Crawford went to Boston and Beltre went to Texas. They added relievers Scott Downs and Hisanori Takahashi before making the Vernon Wells deal with Toronto. If Wells plays like he did last year for the rest of his contract, it's a good move. If not, that's a big contract to inherit.

Last season, the Angels didn't win the AL West for only the second time in the last seven years. The division seems to be undergoing a transfer of power with Texas and Oakland moving to the forefront.

4. Twins: Like the Rays, the Twins are still a good team, but they took a stand-pat attitude this winter. They re-signed Carl Pavano and Jim Thome, but lost a big chunk of their bullpen. If closer Joe Nathan can return from Tommy John surgery on his right elbow, they will still be a force in the AL Central, but the White Sox and Detroit are gaining.

5. Padres: They were in the postseason hunt until the final weekend last season, but were forced to trade their best hitter, Adrian Gonzalez, because they couldn't afford to keep him. They acquired Jason Bartlett, Orlando Hudson and Cameron Maybin this winter, but will that be enough to replace Gonzalez's offense?

The disengaged

1. Indians: After losing 93 games and finishing last in the big leagues in attendance, the Indians tried to recapture the imagination of their fans by signing Austin Kearns to a one-year $1.3 million deal. At least they didn't operate under false pretenses.

They're rebuilding, period.

2. Astros: Owner Drayton McLane has spent most of the winter trying to sell the club. They did sign free-agent infielder Bill Hall and traded for shortstop Clint Barmes and lefty Sergio Escalona.

3. Mariners: New manager Eric Wedge has Felix Hernandez and Ichiro Suzuki. After that he inherits an offense that finished last in the big leagues in runs, average, on-base percentage and slugging. Newcomers Jack Cust and Miguel Olivo are going to have a tough time turning that around.

4. Mets: They had little, if any, money to spend this winter, because of a $145 million payroll filled with bad contracts. Recently a lawsuit was filed against ownership for its alleged part in the Bernie Madoff Ponzi scheme. The Wilpon family may be forced to sell part of the club to raise money.

P.M. Cleveland Browns links: Shaun Rogers a hot property in Texas; fear the Browns in 2011

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Shaun Rogers may not be without a team for long.

shaun-rogers-ap.JPGView full sizeDon't expect Shaun Rogers to be without a team for long. Bloggers and writers in Texas say the Texans and Cowboys (ex-Browns defensive coordinator Rob Ryan's new employers) will vie for his services.

As Mary Kay Cabot told you in today's Plain Dealer, the Browns cut have six veterans, including nose tackle Shaun Rogers.


As Mary Kay said, Rogers didn't have the best year of his career: "But his 17 tackles were a career low, as were his two sacks. He did block a field goal in Miami, the 14th of his career."

But don't feel too badly for Rogers, who made $23 million in his three seasons in Cleveland. One of his biggest fans is the new defensive coordinator in Dallas, where the Cowboys are installing the 3-4 defense Rogers favors. That coordinator would be a fella named Rob Ryan. Name might be familiar, as he was DC under Eric Mangini here.

But Ryan isn't the only one who covets Rogers, according to Jerome Solomon, who writes the "King Solomon's Mind" blog for the Houston Chronicle.



Shaun Rogers was released by the Browns today. He is free to sign with any team he chooses. Immediately.

Rogers loves Houston. It is home.

Rogers plays nose tackle. The Texans need a nose tackle. The Texans have never had an interior defensive lineman as good as Rogers. Rogers has blocked 14 field goals and three extra points in his career.

I believe the Texans have a total of five blocked field goals and two blocked extra points in franchise history. (To be fair, Rogers has been around one season longer than the Texans.)

Rogers had an off-season for him because of injuries (he played only about 40 percent of the defensive snaps), but he played through them anyway even when he probably shouldn't have been on the field. He will be motivated to get back on top.

Rogers and Shaun Cody would be a great duo at nose tackle in Wade Phillips' defense. Texans and Rogers, a marriage made in heaven.
Something you may not want to know, Solomon: According to divorcerate.org, about 50 percent of first marriages end in divorce; 67 percent of second marriages go that route; and 74 percent of third marriages go the Splitsville way.

Of note, the Texans -- or Cowboys -- would be Rogers' third, um, team.

Boo!
Now that the Super Bowl is done and Aaron Rodgers has used a Midwest version of the West Coast offense to propel the Green Bay Packers to the title, talk turns to next season (assuming there IS one, given the labor-management rift).

Bleacherreport.com is talking about which teams should have others checking their rearview mirrors like Dennis Weaver in "Duel," that TV movie about a motorist terrorized by a nutso trucker. And guess who's on it: The Browns! Here's what author Tony Dudas had to say:



You need look no further than their 2010 draft. Colt McCoy is blossoming into an unsuspected talent, and Joe Haden is the rookie no one is talking about. If not for the flashy play of guys like Devin McCourty, Ndamukong Suh, and Sam Bradford, Haden would have gotten much deserved attention this past season and only looks to be better next year. They acted as unlikely spoilers to the 2009 Super Bowl Champions and New England Patriots during this past season.

With a new regime change in the Browns going into 2011, they could be scary next year. You never know when a team goes under a restructuring like this, with the talent they have.
A lot will depend on what the front office does in terms of the draft this year, how Dick Jauron's defense handles a switch the 4-3 alignment and how quickly McCoy can pick up new coach Pat Shurmur's version of the West Coast offense. But hey, isn't it COOL to have someone worry about the Browns for a change? To paraphrase the Eagles, "We haven't had that spirit here since 1999" (when the Browns returned from NFL purgatory as an expansion team).






 


Mary Schmitt Boyer talks Cavaliers - Podcast

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Is it time for fans to hear from Dan Gilbert? How embarrassing was the team's effort against Detroit Wednesday night? Cavaliers beat reporter Mary Schmitt Boyer answered those questions and more in her weekly chat.

gilbert-horiz-ap.jpgView full sizeSome Cavaliers fans are ready to hear from team owner Dan Gilbert on his team's poor performance.
Is it time for fans to hear from Dan Gilbert? How embarrassing was the team's effort against Detroit Wednesday night?

Cavaliers beat reporter Mary Schmitt Boyer answered those questions and more in her weekly chat.

Among the topics discussed:

• What options does Byron Scott have at this point?

• Does Antawn Jamison have any trade value with the deadline approaching?

• What difference might Mo Williams make when he returns?

• Have you seen improvement from J.J. Hickson over the last few weeks?

You can download the mp3 or listen with the player below.

Cavs coach says he's not worried about his job

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CLEVELAND, Ohio -- With his team in the midst of an historic losing streak and coming off a stunningly lifeless performance in Wednesday's 103-94 loss to visiting Detroit, Cavaliers coach Bryon Scott said he was not worried about his job. "I just have a lot of confidence in what I do,'' Scott said as his team dragged its 26-game...

byron scott frustratedByron Scott let his team know how disappointed he was in them  following the Cavaliers' loss to Detroit on Wednesday.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- With his team in the midst of an historic losing streak and coming off a stunningly lifeless performance in Wednesday's 103-94 loss to visiting Detroit, Cavaliers coach Bryon Scott said he was not worried about his job.

"I just have a lot of confidence in what I do,'' Scott said as his team dragged its 26-game losing streak into Friday night's home game against the Los Angeles Clippers. "I know I’m the right man for the job. We obviously need to keep improving as a basketball team, but I know I’m the right guy for the job.

"We’re all unhappy when it comes to winning and losing, we’re all unhappy with the way things are going, but [there has been] no indication about job being in jeopardy or anything like that.''

With the Cavs poised to set the all-time professional sports record for consecutive losses, surpassing the 26 by the 1976-77 Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Scott laid the blame at the feet of his players.

"I never needed a coach to motivate me to go out and play basketball, to go out and compete,'' Scott said. "You can say responsibility from an X’s and Ox game preparation things like that, but you can’t take responsibility when guys are not ready to play. When I say not ready, I mean from an energy and effort standpoint. That has nothing to do with us as coaches.

"All we can do is put you in the best position possible, you’ve got to come out wanting to compete. Our guys didn’t do that last night. That’s on all of us, but more on them because they’re the ones going out there on the basketball court.''

Antawn Jamison backed his coach.

"I have no problems with what our coaching staff has been doing,'' he said. "I think they’re going over and beyond. It’s hard now with certain guys injured and you’ve got a lot of young guys out there getting the opportunity to play. But our coaching staff has been phenomenal. They bring it every day, they expect us to do it and we’ve been doing it. They pick the right coverages, they talk about things we need to do. Sometimes it takes a while for us as a group and a unit to get to that point, but we get to it.

"The coaching staff is not at fault here. You have to look at yourself in the mirror and say ‘Am I doing everything it takes? Am I putting the time in to be successful? But I don’t point fingers, I don’t make excuses. It is what it is. It’s the players’ job to go out there and do what the coaching staff has drawn up for us to do and compete the way they expect us to compete. Throughout the last 25 games, we haven’t been consistent as far as doing that.''

Jerry Sloan of Utah Jazz, only coach with 1,000 wins with one team, is reportedly stepping down

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Jazz has scheduled a news conference today for what it called a significant announcement. Sloan, 68, is the longest-tenured head coach in any of the four major sports.

jerry-sloan.jpgJerry Sloan, third on the NBA coaches' all-time wins list, will reportedly step down as coach of the Utah Jazz.

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah -– A person with knowledge of the situation says Jerry Sloan is stepping down as head coach of the Utah Jazz.

The person told The Associated Press on Thursday that longtime assistant Phil Johnson also will resign. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the resignations have not yet been formally announced.

Salt Lake City television station KSL first reported the pending resignations.

The team has scheduled a 3 p.m. news conference Thursday for what it called a significant announcement.

The 68-year-old Sloan is the longest-tenured head coach in any of the four major sports.

The moves come on the heels of an emotional 91-86 loss Wednesday night to the Chicago Bulls, Utah's 10th in the last 14 games.

Sloan hinted that something was in the works after delaying his postgame press conference Wednesday for more than 30 minutes because of what he said was a meeting with Jazz general manager Kevin O'Connor.

He appeared shaken when first talking with reporters, and said more would be forthcoming Thursday.

The team also immediately sent out a text saying that a Thursday practice had been canceled.

"We just had some things we had to discuss, and we'll talk to you later on about that," Sloan said.

Sloan was asked if there was need for a shake-up.

"I don't think there's any great need for panic," he said Wednesday night. "Kevin is always evaluating what we can do or what someone wants to do with another team and that's part of the business. Every day that's part of his job."

Sloan began working for the Jazz as a scout in 1983, became assistant to coach Frank Layden on Nov. 19, 1984, and was named the sixth coach in franchise history on Dec. 9, 1988, when Layden resigned.

He is the only coach in NBA history to win 1,000 games with one team, a feat he accomplished Nov. 7 against Oklahoma City. Sloan's other wins came with the Chicago Bulls from 1979 to 1982.

While he has headed the Jazz, there have been 245 coaching changes around the league — 13 alone by the Los Angeles Clippers, and five current NBA teams (Charlotte, Memphis, Toronto, Orlando and Minnesota) did not even exist when Sloan took the helm in Utah.

He ranks third all-time in NBA wins behind Don Nelson (1,335) and Lenny Wilkens (1,332).

Sloan also is one of only three coaches in NBA history with 15-plus consecutive seasons with a winning record (Pat Riley and Phil Jackson, both with 19, are the others).

As a player with the Bulls, Sloan averaged 14.0 points, 7.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists in 755 games played over 11 NBA seasons. Nicknamed "The Original Bull" because he was selected in the 1966 Expansion Draft, Sloan was a two-time NBA All-Star (1967, 1969) known for his toughness and grit. He was the only player in NBA history to average 7-plus rebounds and 2-plus steals per game for his career.

Sloan recorded two triple-doubles in his career. A knee injury prematurely ended his career in 1976.

Sloan has been known for his straightforward answers and wry sense of humor.

He conducts his pre-game interviews next to a plastic trash receptacle rather than at a podium.

"You never know when you might be in it," he quipped before Wednesday's game. "It's why I stand here. You take what you get."

Sloan had recently signed an extension to remain with the Jazz through the 2011-12 campaign, but said then that he would not make a decision about returning to the team until after the 2010-11 season was complete.

He leaves after what started off as a promising season. The Jazz started 15-5, but January struggles continued into February.

 

NFL meeting with players union canceled; hopes dim for new labor contract before current one expires

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Collapse of talks, aimed to result in labor agreement that would avoid a lockout, is a surprise. Collective bargaining agreement expires March 3.

roger-goodell.jpgNot only have talks between the NFL and the players union been called off, but commissioner Roger Goodell (photo) has canceled an owners meeting scheduled for next Tuesday.

WASHINGTON, D.C. -– Negotiations to prevent an NFL lockout took a grim turn Thursday with the cancellation of the second day of a planned two-day bargaining session.

With just three weeks to go before the collective bargaining agreement expires on March 3, talks between the owners and union came to a halt after just one session.

"We wish we were negotiating today," NFL Players Association spokesman George Atallah said. "That's all I can say."

The NFL said it would not comment on CBA meetings at this point. The league did confirm that Commissioner Roger Goodell has canceled an owners' meeting scheduled for next Tuesday in Philadelphia.

The collapse of the talks came as a surprise. The two sides got together Wednesday for the second time in five days, the previous negotiations taking place in Dallas on Saturday before the Super Bowl.

Neither Atallah nor NFLPA executive director DeMaurice Smith would comment on why Thursday's session was called off.

Owners opted out of the current CBA in 2008 and are seeking a bigger cut of the league's revenues, which are roughly $9 billion, as well as a rookie wage scale. They also want to increase the regular season by two games to 18, while dropping two preseason games.

The players are happy with the status quo.

The NFL has had labor peace since a 1987 players' strike that led to three games with replacement players, but some sort of labor stoppage appears a genuine possibility this year because of the slow pace of negotiations. The talks at the Super Bowl were the first formal discussions since November.

Meanwhile, the NFLPA continued to present its side of the argument to the public. The union brought in a beer vendor from Ford Field in Detroit as part of a news conference in the nation's capital aimed at demonstrating the effects a lockout would have on the economy.

"Football and other major sporting events are some of the only things that bring people to downtown Detroit after 5 p.m.," said John Marler, who has worked at the stadium since 2007.

Kimberly Freeman Brown, executive director of American Rights at Work, said the NFL and union are fussing over many of the same issues faced by many workers: pay cuts, longer working hours, workplace safety and health care. She said a lockout would have an impact on 150,000 jobs and cause more than $160 million in lost revenue in every city with an NFL team. She called a potential work stoppage "something that could potentially have devastating consequences on our quality of life and our mental health."

"For many fans, football is just that deep to us," Brown said.

Atallah defended the union's public relations tactics.

"It is important for us to stand with the people who are here on this panel, not for any publicity issue or publicity stunt," Atallah said. "This is real life for us. This is a reality that these people face."

Smith arrived during the news conference, but stayed in the back of the room and did not answer questions.


 

Richmond Heights removes Jason Popp as boys basketball coach for remainder of season

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The decision does not appease upset parents, who want Popp removed from the position permanently.

Jason Popp is out as Richmond Heights' boys basketball coach for the remainder of the season following accusations of using racial and vulgar language. - (Thomas Ondrey/The Plain Dealer)

Updated at 4:52 p.m. with comments from superintendent

RICHMOND HEIGHTS, Ohio - Under fire from a group of irate parents and unhappy players, Jason Popp has been relieved of his duties as Richmond Heights' boys basketball coach for the rest of the season.

Popp, who has been in the district for 15 years, will remain at the school as a teacher. He also is president of the teachers' union at the school.

Popp, who had led the team to a 15-0 record, was not available for comment.

Assistant coach Don Gross will serve as interim head coach, superintendent Linda Hardwick said. Another assistant, Harold Rasul, will take over the junior varsity team.

The Spartans play host to Independence on Friday. The game was postponed Tuesday while administrators investigated allegations against Popp.

"I looked at all the facts and read over the information I had," said Hardwick, in her second year as superintendent. "I looked at coach Popp's record, his 15 years of service to the district and all his evaluations, which have been good.

"I think the best decision for our district and our children is that coach Popp be relieved of his coaching duties for the remainder of the year. He will continue as a teacher and he will continue to receive his coaching pay."

Hardwick said Popp -- and the entire district -- is in need of cultural sensitivity training and that she would consider reinstating him as head coach after he completes that work. 

"Coach needs to show these young men that he's willing to work," she said. "He needs some connection with them. He needs to find a way to regain their trust."

Popp, who also coached the team to the sixth spot in the Division IV state poll, infuriated the parents of many of his players after they learned he allegedly used racially offensive and vulgar language during discussions with his team. In a letter sent to superintendent Linda Hardwick on Monday, they called for his immediate removal. Many of the players voiced displeasure with his coaching methods and threatened to quit if he wasn't replaced.

Popp's teams compiled a 59-20 record during his four-year tenure. The Spartans are considered to be a contender for the Division IV district championship at Garfield Heights. They lost to eventual state qualifier St. Peter Chanel in the sectional tournament last year.

Hardwick held a meeting Wednesday night with Popp and parents that lasted about three hours.

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

Michael Jordan, Charlotte Bobcats owner, practices with team and impresses players

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Playing great suits up as team was short on players for practice. "He still has it," forward Gerald Wallace said. "He doesn't have this quickness, but he can score."

michael-jordan.jpgFor Michael Jordan, a benefit of owning the Charlotte Bobcats is the opportunity to practice with them.

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina – Short on players for practice, the Charlotte Bobcats found an extra body in the front office: Michael Jordan.

The Hall of Famer and Bobcats owner suited up for Thursday's workout, participating in a full-court scrimmage and showing a few of the old moves that helped make him a six-time NBA champion.

"He's Mike. He's been kicking our (butts). He still has it," forward Gerald Wallace said. "He doesn't have this quickness, but he can score, he's a shooter. The last thing to ever go is your jump shot and he has that."

Jordan, who turns 48 next week, has been spending more time at practices and shootarounds, getting on the floor and doing some teaching. Thursday's practice was his most involved yet.

"He's holding these guys accountable and it's great. I love him out here," coach Paul Silas said. "He's teaching them how to protect the basketball, how to play hard on defense, how to talk. It's a good thing.

"The guys work a little bit harder when he's out here and rightly so because he's working hard. You're not going to let him do a job on you if you've got any pride."

Jordan, who didn't speak to reporters, was on the floor in an orange jersey. But Wallace said that didn't serve the purpose of the red "no contact" jerseys quarterbacks wear in football practice.

It meant only that Jordan was on the third team.

"We don't treat him like no quarterback out here," Wallace said. "We hit him."

Jordan became a part owner of the Bobcats with the final say on personnel moves in 2006 before buying the team outright last year. After making the playoffs for the first time last spring, Charlotte started 9-19 this season, leading Jordan to fire coach Larry Brown.

The Bobcats (22-30) have climbed back into playoff contention under Silas, although Wednesday's loss at Indiana left them a game behind the Pacers for the final postseason spot in the Eastern Conference.

Charlotte has been talking to teams about possible trades to improve the roster. But you can be assured upgrading the team won't include another Jordan comeback.

Jordan was slumped in a chair with ice bags strapped to both knees at the end of the workout.

"He can still shoot the basketball unbelievable and he can move well. But at his age, he couldn't do it for a long period of time," Silas said, smiling. "But short period of time, he can get it done, yeah."


 

Today on DSN: Live Sports Awards pre-show, Cavaliers' historic streak, Browns cuts and more

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DSN will broadcast live from the Cleveland Sports Awards Pre-Ceremony Reception tonight around 5 p.m.

sports awards logoDSN will broadcast live from the Cleveland Sports Awards Pre-Ceremony Reception tonight around 5 p.m.
It's Cleveland sports' brightest night as the stars come out tonight for the 11th annual Greater Cleveland Sports Awards. We'll broadcast live from the Renaissance Cleveland Hotel around 5 p.m. David Gilbert, President of the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission, will also appear on "Locked and Loaded" at 11 a.m. You can watch live streaming video of the awards ceremony on cleveland.com around 7 p.m., courtesy FoxSportsOhio.com.

Plus, the Cavaliers lost their 26th straight game last night as the historic streak continues with seemingly no end in sight. We'll break down the loss all day on Digital Sports Network, examining who's to blame and if there's any hope for the franchise in the future.

Also, the Browns cleaned house on Wednesday, releasing six players including defensive lineman Shaun Rogers and several former New York Jets that Eric Mangini brought with him when he was coach. Were these good moves by the Browns?

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


Today's lineup on Digital Sports Network:

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

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

Today's in-studio guests are comedian Jimmy Shubert, headliner at Hilarities this weekend at 10:30 a.m. and David Gilbert, President of the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission at 11 a.m. to talk  about tonight's sports awards.

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

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

Live from the Cleveland Sports Awards Pre-Ceremony Reception, starting at 5 p.m.: Hosted by Greg Kozarik, Daryl Ruiter and Glenn Moore.


News, Notes & Rumors: Will Smith, 8-10 p.m.: Tonight, Samantha Bunten, Indians beat writer for the BleacherReport.com, will be on to alk about the team's preparation for spring training.  Will also discusses the building of a Super Bowl team and have an update on the status of the NFL/NFLPA negotiations for a new Collective Bargaining Agreement.

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

  




Cleveland Sports Awards to honor area's best athletes tonight: Watch it live

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Browns' Joe Thomas, Josh Cribbs and Indians' Shin-Soo Choo are the nominees for Professional Athlete of the Year. Watch the awards live courtesy FoxSportsOhio.com starting around 7 p.m.

Watch live streaming video of the Cleveland Sports Awards courtesy FoxSportsOhio.com starting around 7 p.m. Digital Sports Network will live stream during the reception prior to the ceremony here.

Joe Thomas Sports Awards 2010Browns left tackle Joe Thomas, left, is once again a finalist for the Professional Athlete of the Year. He lost out last year to LeBron James.
Who will be named Cleveland's Professional Athlete of the Year?

Browns players Joe Thomas and Josh Cribbs along with Indians outfielder Shin-Soo Choo are vying for the marquee award at the 11th annual Greater Cleveland Sports Awards tonight at the Cleveland Renaissance Hotel.

Other categories include athletes of the year in high school and college and at the amateur level. Those nominees are:

High school: Stetson Allie, baseball, St. Edward; Nick Sulzer, wrestling, St. Edward; Cardale Jones, football, Glenville.

College: Men's soccer team, Akron; Ricky Stanzi, football, Iowa; Jantel Lavender, basketball, Ohio State.

Amateur: Katie Spotz, rowing, Mentor; Jessica Beard, USA Track and Field, Euclid; Kelli Stack, USA Women's Hockey, Brooklyn Heights.

Nominees were selected by local media outlets.

Dr. John A. Bergfeld, senior surgeon and director of operating rooms at Cleveland Clinic, will receive the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission's annual Lifetime Achievement Award. The award traditionally honors an individual who has advanced sports in Cleveland through personal or career dedication and achievements.

Olivia Warhop, soccer player and swimmer at Hathaway Brown School, will be awarded the Cleveland Clinic Sports Health Courage Award. The award honors student athletes who have faced a medical challenge in their lives and approached the situation with courage and determination. Warhop was diagnosed with an extremely rare cancer, myofibrosarcoma, at age 13.

The 1995 and 1997 Indians World Series teams will be recognized at the banquet. Several former Indians are set to attend.

The Greater Cleveland Sports Awards honor the best of the area's amateur and professional sports. The event includes dinner, sports celebrities and silent auctions that help benefit the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission. ESPN broadcaster Mike Tirico will be the emcee.

Digital Sports Network will broadcast live from the pre-ceremony reception starting around 5 p.m. The event is sold out.

The Plain Dealer contributed to this report.

Cleveland Indians sign Orlando Cabrera; he'll compete for vacant 2B job

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Indians GM Chris Antonetti won't confirm or deny the signing of Orlando Cabrera. The Indians are committed to keeping Asdrubal Cabrera at shortstop.

orlando cabreraOrlando Cabrera gives the Indians another option at second base.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- It's been confirmed that the Indians have come to terms with free agent Orlando Cabrera on a one-year major league contract.

Indians GM Chris Antonetti would neither confirm nor deny the signing.

"I will not comment on specific players," said Antonetti in a text.

Perhaps Cabrera still has to pass his physical.

Cabrera will compete for the Indians vacant second base job. The Indians are committed to keeping Asdrubal Cabrera at shortstop. In January Asdrubal Cabrera avoided arbitration with the Indians by signing a one-year $2.025 million contract. 

Orlando Cabrera, 36, played 121 games at shortstop last year for Cincinnati. He hit .263 (130-for-494) with 33 doubles, four homers and 42 RBI. He stole 11 bases in 15 attempts and scored 64 runs.

He spent the 2009 season with Oakland and Minnesota. He hit a combined .284 (186-for-656), helping the Twins reach the postseason as a midseason pickup. In 2008, he spent the full season with the White Sox and hit .281 (186-for-661).

Cabrera has spent almost his entire career at shortstop. Baseball-reference.com says he's played only 33 games at second.

The Indians start spring training Tuesday with two big questions: who will start at second and third base. Orlando Cabrera could answer one of those questions if he beats out Jason Donald, Jayson Nix, Luis Valbuena, Jason Kipnis and others for the second base job.

He can also spell Asdrubal Cabrera at short. The Indians signed Adam Everett, another veteran shortstop, to a minor league deal earlier this winter.

Asdrubal Cabrera broke his left forearm in a collision last season while playing shortstop. When he returned, he did not play that well at short and some feel he might be better suited at second.

Signing Orlando Cabrera buys the Indians time to give infield prospects Lonnie Chisenhall, Kipnis, Jared Goedert and Cord Phelps time to develop in the minors instead of rushing them to the big leagues. They used Luis Valbuena, Jason Donald, Cabrera, Angel Hernandez and Drew Sutton at short last year and it was not pretty. They combined for 25 errors, ranking 24th in the big leagues. Cabrera led the way with 12 errors.

Orlando Cabrera made 11 last year. He is the brother of former Indians infielder/outfielder Jolbert Cabrera.

The Colombian native made $2.02 million last year.

 

P.M. Cleveland Cavaliers links: As losses mount, trade deadline nears

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Non-waiver deal deadline is Feb. 24. Anything done by the Cavs would be with an emphasis on the future. Plus, numerous other links.

antawn-jamison-anderson-varejao.jpgCavaliers forward Antawn Jamison (left) and center-forward Anderson Varejao, who is out for the season with an ankle injury.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The numbers have been dubious for some time. Now they are overwhelming.

They are well-chronicled, too, so just to mention a couple: The Cleveland Cavaliers have lost their last 26 games, tying the all-time longest losing streak (with the 1976-77 NFL expansion Tampa Bay Buccaneers) for a team in any of the continent's top four major leagues.

And, since a 7-9 start, the Cavs are 1-36.

Here's a number than might most symbolize the Cavs' futility: They are 0-32 in games decided by nine points or more.

The NBA's non-waiver trade deadline is on Feb. 24. Certainly, any deal the Cavs would make would be oriented toward building for the future.

The Cavaliers' most appealing player to most teams would have been center-forward Anderson Varejao, but he's out for the season with a torn tendon in his right ankle.

Sam Amico writes for FOX Sports Ohio that teams are still interested in Varejao, and:

But the interest is still fairly strong -- despite the fact the Cavs would be more than happy to keep him for the rest of his career.

Basically, Varejao isn’t untouchable, but it would take quite an offer to pry him away. If that offer comes, it’s more likely to come in June than February.

Others, such as Mo Williams and Daniel Gibson, are also on a lot of other teams’ radars. So is the Cavs’ $14.5 trade exception. The Cavs know all that, and such knowledge gives them considerable leverage.

“[The Cavs] don’t have to trade just to make a trade,” said a Western Conference executive. “That seems to be their stance and it’s a wise one to take. They may not have a good team at the moment -- but the longer they wait, the better their possibilities and their power become.”

The Cavaliers get another chance to end their losing streak on Friday night at their Quicken Loans Arena home, playing the Los Angeles Clippers (20-32), who are led by the NBA's likely Rookie of the Year, forward Blake Griffin.

Plain Dealer and cleveland.com Cavaliers coverage includes Mary Schmitt Boyer's report that coach Byron Scott feels secure in his job; her podcast; her game story on the Cavs 103-94 loss to the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday night.

Pick and rolls

It's up to the Cavaliers players to stop the losing streak, Jim Ingraham writes for the News-Herald and Lorain Morning Journal.

A FOXSports.com photo gallery of the top 10 NBA coaches of all-time includes one who was with the Cavaliers for years, and one who was with them a half-season.

A Cavaliers team report on USAToday.com.

Audio of former Cavs coach Mike Brown talking about the team's losing streak on ESPN Radio.

Cavaliers notes, by Rick Noland of the Medina County Gazette and Elyria Chronicle-Telegram.

Why the Cavaliers have collapsed, by Brian Windhorst for ESPN.com.

The Pistons were motivated to not lose to the Cavaliers, by Vince Ellis of the Detroit Free Press.

Byron Scott is not concerned about his job status, by Jason Lloyd of the Akron Beacon Journal.

Cavaliers notes, by Bob Finnan of the News-Herald and Lorain Morning Journal.

Cavs say that coach Byron Scott is the right man for the job, by Rick Noland of the Medina County Gazette and Elyria Chronicle-Telegram.

Cavs-Pistons game stories by Vincent Goodwill for the Detroit News; Sam Amico for FOX Sports Ohio; Jason Lloyd for the Akron Beacon Journal.

 

Cleveland Browns coach Pat Shurmur confirms he'll go without an offensive coordinator

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Shurmur says he's comfortable handling the dual role of head coach / offensive coordinator and he will call his own plays this season.

Pat Shurmur named Browns' head coachBrowns coach Pat Shurmur will go without an offensive coordinator in his first year as head coach.
CLEVELAND, Ohio — Browns coach Pat Shurmur confirmed Thursday he will go without an offensive coordinator -- an unorthodox move in the NFL -- and said his staff is basically complete.

He said he will call the plays and act as head coach/offensive coordinator his first season on the job.

"I think it's going to stay that way [without a coordinator]," he said at the Greater Cleveland Sports Awards, where he was a presenter. "I will actually take that role and then we have quite a few very accomplished coaches on offense."

Shurmur believes he will be fine assuming the extra duty, even though this is his first time as a head coach. Only one NFL team went without an offensive coordinator in 2010 -- the Patriots under coach Bill Belichick. The Cardinals split the job between running- and passing-game coordinators.

"I feel like we've hired a terrific staff and everybody on this staff has roles and issues of the day," Shurmur said.

"I feel really good about how we've structured things and I think it's going to work well."

Shurmur, who spent the past two seasons calling plays as the Rams' offensive coordinator, said there was never any doubt he would call his own plays here.

"I think that's the key piece," Shurmur said. "As you go through the week, you put the plan together and everybody in the room has input. I think that's the way I'll do it."

Shurmur hired Mark Whipple as his quarterbacks coach and Mike Wilson as his receivers coach. He retained three offensive assistants from former coach Eric Mangini's staff: Gary Brown (running backs), Steve Hagen (tight ends) and George Warhop (offensive line).

Whipple has five years of NFL experience, including three with the Steelers in quarterback Ben Roethlisberger's first three seasons in the league. Wilson has six years of NFL experience, covering stints with the Raiders and Cardinals.

Shurmur hoped to hire either Mike McCoy or Bill Musgrave as offensive coordinator, but McCoy remained in Denver and Musgrave took the Vikings job.

"We made an effort to hire the very best guys we could, and I think that's the way it shaped up this year," Shurmur said.

Shurmur said he's thrilled to have landed defensive coordinator Dick Jauron, who worked under Browns President Mike Holmgren in Green Bay, and alongside Shurmur's uncle Fritz, who was the Packers' defensive coordinator.

"I've known Dick a long time, just in the profession," Shurmur said. "He and my uncle worked together. I've got a great deal of respect for him, and I've really become close to him as you can at NFL functions. I've obviously got a high amount of respect for him as a person and a coach."

Other topics Shurmur addressed during a 10-minute interview:

• On Colt McCoy as the starting QB heading into camp: "It would be a logical assumption."

• On what he said upon meeting Josh Cribbs for the first time Thursday: "I said what I wanted for him was to get in the end zone, so it's the start. He seemed to give me a big smile, so I think we're on the same page."

• On cutting six players, including Pro Bowl nose tackle Shaun Rogers: "I think every NFL team reshapes their roster each year, so that's the beginning phase and from here on out we'll just keep doing the things we need to do to make us as good as we can be."

• On whether Jauron, who coached Rogers in Detroit, helped make the decision to cut Rogers: "We had conversations behind the scenes, but I'm not sure that prior relationship had much to do with it."

• On whether he will switch to a 4-3 defense: "That's part of the roster shaping. I think that will become obvious soon."

• On the league's labor uncertainty: "It's business as usual right now. And then obviously if something happens, we have a plan in place and we'll execute it. but for right now, we're moving forward with calendars like we'll be playing ball."

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: mcabot@plaind.com, 216-999-4670

At Revere, success of entire team is revered: Terry Pluto

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Richfield, Ohio -- When a player is the son of a former NBA star and begins to grow into a Division I college prospect, the temptation is for the parents to shop for a basketball power rather than remain at the local high school.  That was not the story for Larry and Jaynee Nance, the parents of Revere star...

Richfield, Ohio -- When a player is the son of a former NBA star and begins to grow into a Division I college prospect, the temptation is for the parents to shop for a basketball power rather than remain at the local high school. 

That was not the story for Larry and Jaynee Nance, the parents of Revere star forward Larry Nance Jr. 

"We never even considered it," said Jaynee Nance. "Casey [their daughter] went to Revere and had a great experience. Larry loves it here. I recently found this paper Larry had in the first grade. He listed his best friend as D.J." 

That's D.J. as in Bettinger, Revere's star point guard. 

"Most of the guys on this team have been together since the third grade," said Bettinger. "Larry has been one of my best friends. We are close, and we wanted to play together in high school." 

Together is what Revere is all about. 

Entering Friday night's home game against Highland, the Minutemen are 14-1, 10-0 in the Suburban League, where they have won 24 straight dating back to 2009. Revere's lone loss this season was a 52-47 setback to defending Division I state champ Massillon Jackson in the second game. 

The 2010 Suburban League title was Revere's first since 1976. When Dean Rahas was hired as coach nine years ago, the former Cleveland State player took over a team that was 3-39 in its previous two seasons. 

Rahas arrived as most of the nine seniors on this team were playing together in the fourth grade. By middle school, they were undefeated. 

"I knew it could be a special group," said Rahas. 

But he didn't know they would be this good. Or that the players would stick together for so long, then buy into his pressure defense and push-the-ball, share-the-glory offense. Nor did he know Nance Jr. would become a player who is being recruited by Michigan, along with several Mid-American Conference and Horizon League schools. 

"He played on the freshman team," said Rahas. "As a sophomore, he was on the junior varsity. He only moved up to the varsity as a junior. It was D.J. who has been on the varsity since he was a freshman." 

A year ago, Nance was 6-4, 175 pounds. 

Now, he's 6-7, 200 pounds. He has become a prime prospect, the kind who often gravitate to private schools that play big-time schedules. Rahas can't recall the most recent Revere player to receive a Division I basketball scholarship: "I think it was back in the 1970s." 

Casey Nance earned a basketball scholarship to Dayton. The 6-4 junior is the team's starting center. A marketing major, she received the team's top academic award for her 3.8 grade-point average last season. 

"We believe that in life, we have to teach our kids to make the best of situations that they are in," said Larry Nance Sr. "A good player will make his team good. This is a good school and a great community. We want our kids involved here." 

Nance played 13 years in the NBA, the last six with the Cavs. He retired in 1994. 

He was with the Cavs in the Richfield Coliseum days, and bought a home in Bath. His No. 22 -- the same number worn by Larry Jr. -- hangs from the rafters at The Q. 

"This is what my family believes in, playing together," Nance Jr. said. 

'We like being underdogs' 

Revere's premier player is Nance, averaging 17 points, 9.3 rebounds and 3.1 blocks while shooting 53 percent. He has a smooth midrange jumper and long arms that make him a superb defender. And yes, like his father the former slam dunk champion, this Nance can jump. 

"But we have a lot of good players," he said. "D.J. is a great team player." 

Bettinger is optimistically listed at 6-1. He is the driving force on the team. The point guard averages 13.6 points, five assists and is shooting 55 percent overall and 42 percent on 3-pointers. Several NAIA and Division III schools are recruiting him. 

Like his buddy Nance, he deflects attention elsewhere. 

"Larry is everything a point guard would want," said Bettinger. "You throw the ball up there, and he goes and gets it." 

Senior Eric Smith (6-5) is the center, averaging 8.5 points and shooting 60 percent. The only non-senior starter is 6-3 junior Mark Mockbee, scoring 7.1 points and shooting 51 percent. 

Revere averages 63 points, shoots 50 percent from the field -- while holding opponents to 44 points and 33 percent shooting. The Minutemen play with urgency, forcing 19 turnovers a game. 

"You'd never know it to look at him, but that's our best defensive player," said Rahas, pointing at senior guard Ryan Wonders. 

Talk about wonder of Wonders, there are two Wonders on this team. They are twins, although Ryan is listed at 5-8, while Marc Wonders is listed at 5-7. 

Both of them crowd anyone who dribbles in their direction. They block out. They dive for loose balls. They are pests to play against. One of them is usually on the court at the shooting guard spot next to Bettinger. 

"D.J. and I will come out for the opening jump ball, and some [opposing] players will look at us and you can see they don't think we can play," said Ryan Wonders. "We like being underdogs. We want people to think we are small and slow." 

Excelling on the court  and in classrooms 

Ryan Wonders said he has a 4.02 grade-point average and scored a 32 on the ACT. His brother, Marc, is at 4.08 with a 35 ACT score. Smith has a 3.4 GPA, and his backup, Connor Edel, is at 3.7. Other players excelling in the classroom are Spencer Davis (3.3 GPA) and Dan Slattery (4.1 GPA). Bettinger has a 3.5 GPA and scored 24 on the ACT. Nance said he has "only a 3.0" GPA with a 21 ACT. He wants to raise both of those numbers. The team GPA is about 3.4. Rahas said he had a 3.3 GPA at Valley Forge. "I'd be below average on this team," he said. 

He added, "But sometimes they can be too smart, seeing eight sides of a square. They can think too much. I tell them just play." 

Revere uses a few different three-quarter-court and half-court trapping defenses. It then plays tough man-to-man. On offense, the first option is the fast break. Or else put the ball in Bettinger's hands and let him set up someone for a shot. 

"What's happened the last two years is exciting," said Ryan Wonders. "For the longest time, no one was high on us. Now, there is some pressure, but we want it. Our goal is to win the league, win the district and go for the state title." 

In the Revere gym is a basketball banner that reveals the years of nine league titles from 1954 through 1976. Then comes the 2010 title. Also on the banner is the word "DISTRICT." What follows is blank because Revere has never won a district boys basketball title. The Minutemen lost in a district final to St. Edward last season, and they could meet the Eagles again in this year's playoffs. 

"We've been aiming for this for a long time," said Bettinger. "We want to be a team that makes some history for the school." 

Larry Nance Sr. comes to some practices and helps coach the big men. 

"He's just Larry's dad to us," said Bettinger. "He is one of the most humble guys. We all have known him for a long time." 

Larry and Jaynee Nance are at most games, wearing Revere caps and shirts. 

"It's just been fun to follow these kids all these years," said Nance Sr. "I'm real proud of them." 

Not only his son, but the entire team. 

 

 

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