How has Grady Sizemore looked in his first game action of the spring? Plain Dealer Indians beat writer Paul Hoynes answered that question and more in his weekly podcast.

View full sizeChuck Crow | The Plain DealerGrady Sizemore returned to the field this week for the Indians.

How has Grady Sizemore looked in his first game action of the spring?

Plain Dealer Indians beat writer Paul Hoynes answered that question and more in his weekly podcast.

Among other topics discussed:

• Who will win the final three spots in the bullpen?

• Will Travis Buck make the team and who becomes the odd man out if he does?

• How often will Grady Sizemore play once he's ready to go during the regular season?

• What area of the team are you most confident in now that spring training is coming to a close?

You can download the mp3 or listen with the player to the right.

T.J. Ward and Joe Haden are stars in the making.

View full sizeJohn Kuntz, The Plain DealerJoe Haden, the Browns No. 1 pick in the 2010 draft.

Cleveland Browns' defensive backs T.J. Ward and Joe Haden are stars in the making, writes Matt Williamson for ESPN.com.

But Williamson is really impressed with center Alex Mack when it comes to young players on the rise.

Why?

Mack is what you look for at the center position and should quickly establish himself as one of the best few players at the position before long. He moves very well and is excellent at getting to the second level and making key blocks away from the line of scrimmage in the run game.

Williamson is keeping his eye on linebacker Marcus Benard.

Expanded MLB playoffs

If you thought there wasn't enough teams in the postseason, you may get your wish. Fox Sports reporter Jon Paul Morosi writes about the prospect of playoff expansion. And he also writes on how MLB commissioner Bud Selig has indicated that he is receptive to the idea of adding a fifth playoff team in each league.

Jerry Lucas

Jon Spencer of MansfieldNewsJournal.com writes about Ohio State basketball legend Jerry Lucas and his visit to Mansfield recently.

Lucas was a member of the last OSU basketball team to win an NCAA Tournament title (1960).

So what would happen if the current team played the 1960 champions in a game of H-O-R-S-E?

"I don't think there's any doubt we would (win)," said Lucas, speaking for a team that had four future NBA players in its starting lineup, including Shelby High School immortal Larry Siegfried and lone senior starter Joe Roberts, not to mention two NBA Hall of Famers in Lucas and John Havlicek.

"I shot 66 percent from the field and I shot from every place on the floor," Lucas said. "We had some great shooters. But (the current Buckeyes are) a great shooting team, too, so who knows? I'd like to think we'd win, but I'm very high on this team. They have everything it takes to win, but you have to get lucky."

Case Western quarterback Dan Whalen rejoins the Gladiators to back up Kurt Rocco.

View full size2008 Photo,
Courtesy of Case Western Reserve UniversityFormer Case Western Reserve quarterback Dan Whalen has returned to the Cleveland Gladiators to back up Kurt Rocco. Rocco was elevated to the starter role by a season-ending Achilles injury to John Dutton.

Dan Whalen, former Case Western Reserve quarterback, has returned to the Cleveland Gladiators.

In training camp, Whalen was beaten out by Mount Union's Kurt Rocco to be the backup to John Dutton. In the season opener last weekend in Spokane, Wash., Dutton tore his left Achilles' tendon and will miss the rest of the season.

Rocco replaced Dutton late in the Gladiators' 61-55 victory over the Shock and will start at Tampa Bay on Sunday. Whalen is the No. 2 quarterback.

Don't look for speedy improvement in the Tribe, says national baseball writer Tracy Ringolsby.

View full sizeChuck Crow,
The Plain DealerBaseball America writer Tracy Ringolsby says the Indians woes are directly attributable to these three men: from left, General Manager Chris Antonetti, owner Paul Dolan and President (and former GM) Mark Shapiro.

Times certainly have changed since the departure of general manager John Hart after the 2001 season. Mark Shapiro took over for Hart, and a whole new front-office mentality took over. It has not worked, although team owner Larry Dolan, who is praised for his loyalty, has not wavered in his support of the team's management.

While managers Charlie Manuel and Eric Wedge were made scapegoats, Shapiro was promoted to team president and his top aide, Chris Antonetti, has replaced him as GM.

A series of bad drafts have stripped the once-rich Indians farm system of talent. And when Shapiro began dealing established players for payroll reasons, he wasn't able to land impact prospects in return.

When the Indians did make long-term commitments to players they hoped would be a long-term foundation—such as center fielder Grady Sizemore, DH Travis Hafner and pitchers Jake Westbrook and Fausto Carmona—injuries interfered with the plan.

The inconsistent Carmona rebounded a year ago, and he's the only member of the projected Opening Day lineup who was originally signed by the Indians.

The saddest part is that as much as we'd like to argue with Ringolsby, we can't. The players we mentioned earlier -- Santana, Choo, Chisenhall, Perez et al -- ARE going to be fun to watch. But the overall depth in the farm system to regain elite status just doesn't seem to be in place. And clearly, the current ownership isn't going to spend to build otherwise.

So what do we do? Give up?

No. What we do is believe in baseball itself. It's a game, true enough, but it's bigger than that. It's true democracy, a game where a 5-foot-6 guy can succeed as easily as a 6-foot-5 guy. You can think your way to a win. Baseball is hope, rebirth and reminiscence, all rolled into one.

We'd love for the Tribe to go back to the Series. Journalistically, they're fun to cover. And we can't really say that it doesn't matter if they lose again. True fans feel every loss. But as long as someone hollers, "Play ball!" we're OK.

The windup and the pitch
We're going to go way out on a limb and say a strength for the Tribe will be its starting rotation. Now notice we didn't say a strength "this season." We believe that manager Manny Acta's core of starters -- Fausto Carmona, Carlos Carrasco, Mitch Talbot, Justin Masterson and Josh Tomlin (who hasn't officially been named to the No. 5 spot but should be) -- have the potential to be a pretty good crew.

Knowing you have Chad Durbin and Tony Sipp to take longer relief, and Chris Perez to close has to give those guys confidence. Those three men aren't going to lose games you're already winning. The key, then, will be for the Tribe to be holding a lead by the time they get to those three.

So it all starts with those five men giving the Indians a chance to win. And they're going to have to learn to do that. Which is why we agree with examiner.com's Greg Kozarik that this will be a year in which Acta's patience will be critical.

The Indians' rotation may not be full of all-stars in their rotation, but the younger guys will get every opportunity to succeed as Acta is the type of manager that does not have the quick hook with his pitching staff. He instills confidence in his pitchers and it shows how much he really believes in them.

The Indians may not compete for the top spot in the American League Central. Instead, this season will be more about the growth of the team, especially the starting rotation. Patience is the key word this season, and it will be needed when it comes to this young core of pitchers.

Lot to be said for job security
We don't really WANT to be the first to chant, "Wait Till Next Year!" but it's probably an accurate assessment of the situation. And it's a whole lot more encouraging than saying, "Oh, crud! Is it next again already?"

Cleveland's loss was Philly's gain. That was true when the Tribe traded Cliff Lee to Philadelphia and the Phils went on to win a World Series. And now, Philly's loss is Cleveland's gain. That's because the Indians were able to sign their free-agent setup man, Chad Durbin, to a relatively cheap one-year, guaranteed contract for $800,000. And again, Lee was a factor in all this.

Bob Ford of the Philadelphia Inquirer tracked down Durbin in the Indians clubhouse in Goodyear, Ariz. It's not where he thought he would be. Durbin made $2.1 million for the Phils last year, and was offered a $400,000 pay cut this year despite his success out of the bullpen: 4-1 in 64 games, with an ERA of 3.80. And then when the Phils reacquired Lee, signing him as a free agent, they withdrew even that offer and told Durbin he'd be invited to camp on a non-guaranteed minor league contract.

The Tribe's offer topped that, even if it's a little more than a third of what he made last year. And Durbin is glad to have it, according to Ford.

"Free agency. [Former Phillies teammate] Scott Eyre warned me about it. He said it can be great, but it can be a long winter when you just don't know," Durbin said. "If your wife likes to plan things, it's really the family that it's hardest on. To me, I felt I was going to pitch somewhere, and I just hoped it would be on a guaranteed contract. That's why I came here. It's a good opportunity and it's guaranteed time and money."

Nothing else is really certain in this business disguised as a game. It can turn around in a moment, just as the best plans for bridging a bullpen gap can end up in the ice bath of the trainer's room. If the Phillies' plans turn on them this season, the last bridge-builder will be settled into Cleveland, mentoring young pitchers and wondering once again what comes next.

"No complaints," Durbin said. "I've got a World Series ring and a National League championship ring back home. I've been very fortunate in my career."

Those moves open three spots in the bullpen to be decided among five relievers -- Pestano, Frank Herrmann, Justin Germano, Jess Todd and Doug Mathis. Pestano, Herrmann and Germano have to be considered the favorites, although Todd has pitched well this spring. In six appearances, he has allowed one run in 6 innings.

Todd, Herrmann and Pestano each pitched a scoreless inning in the Indians' 7-3 Cactus League victory over Arizona on Tuesday. Pestano sprinted in for the ninth and retired the side in order. He threw seven pitches -- all for strikes.

This spring Pestano is 0-1 with a 1.35 ERA (one earned run in 6 innings) and one save. He has 10 strikeouts and no walks. For a team whose pitchers finished last in the big leagues in strikeouts and fifth in most walks allowed, those are welcome numbers.

WFNY examines the NCAA tournament and what it could mean for potential Cavs' draft selections this summer

AP Photo/Gerry BroomeDuke point guard Kyrie Irving is just one of the many players who could be in Cleveland come next fall

We are now down to the Sweet Sixteen in the NCAA Tournament, the greatest sporting spectacle in our country (yeah, I said it). This is the time where relatively unknown players make themselves big money - how many of you heard of Gordon Hayward before last March? - and big name players stretch their legend even greater to improve their draft position a la Joakim Noah.

A few of the names we've heard as potential top-10 picks that the Cavaliers could have interest are no longer playing like Baylor PF Perry Jones,  Texas PF Tristan Thompson, and long-shot Morehead State PF Kenneth Faried. But perusing the list of top prospects still has many men (or kids) that are still going strong in the NCAA tournament.

With the Sweet Sixteen just two days away, lets take a look at how some of them have fared thus far after the first weekend under the bright lights:

Kyrie Irving - PG - Duke (Draft Express #1 prospect)

Perhaps the biggest wildcard in the group due to his toe injury, Irving has returned after missing the majority of the season. His first game against Hampton was more of a get-your-feet-wet experience for him. While he looked tentative early, he was more comfortable in the second half. He played 20 minutes, leading the Blue Devils in scoring with 14 points.

In the second game against Michigan, he struggled a little bit with the basketball, but when the game was on the line, he hit his only field goal of the game with 33 seconds left to put Duke up by three. What was good to see was Irving's penetrating ability. He went to the line 10 times in 21 minutes, hitting nine of them.

Not the Kyrie of November that was headed for first team All-American, but you can see the talent there. When 100% healthy, he is by far and away the best Guard in the draft if he chooses to come out.

Derrick Williams - PF - Arizona (Draft Express #6 prospect)

Williams is a guy with a multi-faceted game and a crazy motor. The kid gets after it on both ends of the floor. There best example of this came at the end of Arizona's two wins over Memphis and Texas this weekend. In his team's 77-75 win on Friday, Williams blocked a potential game tying shot with five seconds left, preserving the victory. He finished this one with 22 points and 10 boards. After the game, his coach Sean Miller said "It's as if he's playing in his backyard. He just has a way of making big plays and finishing the other team off."

Two nights later, despite an off game for the first 30 minutes, Williams called for the ball in his hands down two in the final 15 seconds. It resulted in a three-point play that would end up winning the game for the Wildcats 70-69. He had 17 and nine rebounds on the night.

Talk about enhancing his draft stock. Two games, two wins by a total of three points, and two game-winning plays for his team.

Harrison Barnes - SF - North Carolina (Draft Express #4 Prospect)

Barnes's season was like a volatile tech stock. He was everyone's preseason #1 overall pick for the 2011 NBA Draft. By mid-January, he was falling out of the lottery. Now we are in March in his top-five status seems to be cemented again. Barnes was arguably the most clutch player in the country during conference play not named Kemba Walker.

In the opening blowout of Long Island, Barnes had a shaky night from deep (2-10) but still finished with 24 points and a whopping 16 rebounds. In Sunday's 86-83 Tar Heels win over Washington, Barnes had 22 points, including 4-7 three-pointers. After Washington took a lead with just under four minutes left gave the Heels their first lead since 2-0.

He continues to look smooth on the court and has the ability to create his own shot or come off of screens. The thing that scouts love about him was obvious over the weekend - he is a true NBA three.

Jared Sullinger - PF - Ohio State (Draft Express #3 Prospect)

I'm not going to say the Buckeyes didn't need Sullinger in their blowouts wins in Cleveland over the weekend, but in reality, the OSU shooters did most of the damage. Some of that can be attributed to Sullinger's demand of a double-team. When smallish teams like UT-San Antonio and George Mason attempted to guard him straight up in the post, he abused them. When a double team was forced, he was kicking it out to the likes of Jon Diebler, William Buford, and David Lighty who were drilling triples like they were Kenny Lofton in the 90's.

Sullinger had 11 points and nine rebounds in the 29 point thrashing of UT-San Antonio and 18 and eight in the 32 point win over George Mason. Really, this weekend was more of the same for Jared. The double-double machine will be the key player in Friday night's game against Kentucky, a team with the athletes to match OSU on the wing. Expect a game plan that features Sullinger going right at UK's Josh Harrelson. The Wildcats have almost no depth after him.

Kemba Walker - SG/PG - Connecticut (Draft Express #7 Prospect)

I norrmally wouldn't list Walker as a guy the Cavs would be targeting with one of their two lottery picks considering the glut of undersized combo guards they already possess. But in reality, the Cavs need upgrades everywhere and the legend of Kemba continues to gain steam. After leading his Huskies team to a five wins in five nights Big East Tournament title where he took home MVP honors and hit a sick buzzer-beater to beat Pittsburgh, Walker led his seemingly tired team into the NCAA Tournament.

Some "experts' picked Bucknell to knock off UConn in the opener. Instead, Kemba showed the full aresnal, scoring 18 points, dishing out 12 assists, and snagging eight rebounds in a 29-point win. "I just took whatever they gave me," Walker said after the game. "I just told the guys to be ready, and they were. They made the shots."

And in their next game against Cincinnati, he reverted back to being the Kemba we all know and love. He went off for 33 points, six boards, and five assists. Best of all, he hit all 14 of his free throws while playing 39 of the 40 minutes. His stock continues to climb and if he leads his team to the Final Four, don't be shocked to see him in the top five.

Terrance Jones - SF/PF - Kentucky (Draft Express #11 Prospect)

Jones is a kid who looked like a top three pick back in January, but has dropped back a bit. While he has the size and explosiveness that NBA Scouts love, Jones has looked soft at times. My UK spies tell me he is also not the most coachable of kids and John Calipari's tough style has worn on him. Princeton completely took him out of his game on Thursday, which seemed like a big advantage for him. I expected to see Jones use his superior athleticism to dominate the man who was guarding him. Instead, he was very passive, hanging around the perimeter. He finsihed with just 10 points and two rebounds as UK's Power Forward.

In the 71-63 win over West Virginia, he played 32 minutes and took just five shots. He did finish with a double-double (12 and 10) and came through with a couple of big plays down the stretch defensively. With his size, he will be a Lamar Odom type in the NBA, but he must get back to being the aggressive kid we saw the first two months of the season.

Brandon Knight - PG - Kentucky (Draft Express #8 Prospect)

While his teammate's stock seems to be dropping, Knight's stock is going in the opposite direction. The knock on his early on was that his jump shot needed work. But according to his coach, Calipari: "No player I've ever coached has this kid's work ethic." It has paid off. The 4.0 student works as hard in the classroom as he does in the gym, and his game has significantly improved this year.

While Princeton's defense swarmed him into only his second single digit scoring game of the year, he had the ball in his hands with the scored tied in the final seconds of the game. He called for a clear out, took his man off the dribble and his a runner with less than two seconds to go for the 59-57 win. "I have all the faith and confidence in the world in him," Calipari said of Knight after the win. "He's not afraid to make a play. Guys like him aren't afraid to miss." It was his only field goal of the game.

Saturday, he made sure he built off of his game-winning shot and destroyed West Virginia with 30 points in 39 minutes. He was magnificent.

Expect to see much more from these guys starting Thursday night and into Sunday.

Others To Watch: BYU SG Jimmer Fredette, Kansas PF Marcus Morris, San Diego State PF Kawaii Leonard, North Carolina PF John Henson

The Indians expect to get Rule 5 pick Josh Rodriguez back from the Pirates.

Jonathan Quilter / Columbus DispatchThe Indians will take Josh Rodriguez back from the Pirates if he doesn't make their big league club.

Goodyear, Ariz. -- This is a daily briefing on the Cleveland Indians in spring training as they prepare for the 2011 season.

 March 23, Day 37 -- The Indians expect to get infielder Josh Rodriguez, the first pick in December's Rule 5 draft, back from the Pirates before the end of camp. Rodriguez played shortstop and second base for Class AAA Columbus last year and the Indians are in dire need of upper level shortstops.

 Rodriguez is trying to make the Pirates as a utility infielder. As a Rule 5 pick, the Pirates have to keep him on the 25-man roster or offer him back to the Indians for half of the $50,000 purchase price.

 Last season Rodriguez hit .293 (93-for-317) with 23 doubles, 12 homers and 46 RBI at Columbus. He started the year at Class AA Akron and hit .317 (20-for-63) with 11 RBI.

 Live with it: Grady Sizemore has made strides with his surgically repaired left knee, but it reminds him daily that things are not the same as they once were.

 "I'm definitely aware of it," said Sizemore, after playing three innings in center field Tuesday for the first time this spring. "I don't expect to be pain free and not notice the knee. That's been explained to me.

 "It's just a matter of being able to manage it. As long as it doesn't keep me from doing something, I don't see a problem with that."

 People keep waiting to see how Sizemore will react when he has to chase down a ball or make a diving catch.

 "I've seen him shag balls in batting practice," said manager Manny Acta. "He's been doing it normally. The last hurdle will be diving for the ball. It will mean he's not thinking about his knee."

 Sizemore, when asked if he was anticipating such a play, said, "Not really. I've been in that position before. Game speed it going to be a little different. I'm sure I'll experience a play like that in the next couple of weeks." 

 Men in blue: Scott Barry, Dan Bellino and Brian Knight have joined MLB's umpiring staff. They have all worked big-league games as substitute umpires from Class AAA.

 Barry, 34, made his big league debut on June 4, 2006. Bellino, 32, made his big league debut on June 25, 2008. Knight, 36, made his big league debut on May 7, 2001.

 Minors update: Columbus beat Akron, 6-1, Tuesday. Wes Hodges and Jared Head drove in two runs each for Columbus. Nelson De La Cruz struck out three and didn't allow a hit in three innings.

 Drew Pomeranz, pitching for Class A Kinston, threw three scoreless innings in a 3-0 loss to Class A Lake County. Pomeranz, the Indians No.1 pick last year, struck out five and walked three. Alex Lavisky doubled for Lake County.

 The Indians minor leaguers will play Milwaukee's minor leaguers today.

 Take no chances:  Acta was asked if he would consider opening the season carrying reliever Joe Smith even though he's injured. It's anticipated that Smith's strained abdominal muscle would be healed by early April.

 "We could do that easy," said Acta, "but at this day and age, you don't want to start the season and put yourself in that spot. You don't know what the starters are going to do. We don't have experienced guys where it's hands down that they're going to give you seven innings."

 Smith, Jason Donald, Sizemore and Trevor Crowe are expected to open the season on the disabled list.

 Today's lineups:

 Royals: 2B Chris Getz, CF Mitch Maier, DH Billy Butler, 1B Kila Ka'aihue, LF Alex Gordon, 3B Wilson Betemit, RF Jeff Francoeur, C Brayan Pena, SS Alcides Escobar, RHP Nate Adcock.

 In the pen: Tim Collins, Aaron Crow, Louis Coleman and Sean O'Sullivan will follow Adcock to the mound.

 Indians: CF Michael Brantley, SS Asdrubal Cabrera, RF Shin-Soo Choo, 1B Carlos Santana, DH Travis Hafner, 2B Orlando Cabrera, LF Shelley Duncan, 3B Luis Valbuena, C Lou Marson, P Carlos Carrasco.

  What's ahead: David Huff will face San Francisco's Barry Zito on Thursday night in Scottsdale, Ariz. at 10:05 p.m. ET. WTAM will carry the game.

Browns, barring a trade, own the sixth pick in the draft. One of their most urgent needs is at wide receiver. And, more links.

Associated PressAlabama's Julio Jones (8) will likely be either the first or second wide receiver picked in the draft.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The three-day NFL draft begins five weeks from Thursday, on April 28.

There will be lots of player movement not only in the mock drafts until then, but also on the 32 teams' draft boards until they're on the clock for the real-life event.

One of the primary needs for the Cleveland Browns is, of course, at wide receiver. Cleveland, barring a trade, owns the sixth pick in the first round, and there is a real possibility the Browns would use that selection for a wideout.

The consensus has been that Georgia's A.J. Green and Alabama's Julio Jones are the top wide receivers in the draft.

Peter King writes for Sports Illustrated's SI.com that Green had been projected by most experts as the better prospect of the two, but that thinking has changed somewhat:

But then Jones ran two 40-yard dashes at the Scouting Combine in Indianapolis between 4.34 seconds and 4.40 seconds with a slight foot fracture (which I'm told will not threaten his long-term pro career). Teams began putting their sniffers out to discover everything they could about the two players as people. Jones is a safer guy, in terms of work ethic and practice habits, several personnel men have told me.

It's now a race. Jones has narrowed the gap between himself and Green to the point where I'm told by two teams with receiver needs that they favor Jones.

Would the Browns be one of the "two teams with receiver needs" that told King, he says, "that they favor Jones"?

Plain Dealer and cleveland.com Browns coverage includes beat writer Tony Grossi's report that the Browns might have the option of trading down in the draft; beat writer Mary Kay Cabot's report that cornerback Joe Haden says Browns players are working out despite the NFL lockout; Grossi's Browns Insider, highlighting the Browns' and return ace Josh Cribbs' disappointment over the new kickoff rules; other reports by Grossi and by Cabot about the Browns' reaction to the kickoff rules changes.

Post patterns

Mock drafts by Rob Rang and Chad Reuter for CBSSports.com.

Browns quarterback Colt McCoy isn't mentioned in Jason Cole's story for Yahoo! Sports. The report about how the lockout could adversely affect young quarterbacks is relevant to McCoy's situation, though.

Josh Cribbs is not happy about the kickoff rules changes, by Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram and Medina County Gazette.

Mount Union's Kyle Miller, the son of former Browns quarterback Mark Miller, hopes to get an NFL job and is being tutored by Browns long snapper Ryan Pontbriand. By Steve Doerschuk of the Canton Repository.

What Joe Haden has to say about the lockout, by Jeff Schudel for the News-Herald and Lorain Morning Journal.

A defensive end as the Browns' first pick? Evan Dunlap and SB Nation have opinions on that scenario.

Video of Josh Cribbs stating his objections to the kickoff rules changes, on USAToday.com.

Browns notes, by Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal.

Marty Schottenheimer takes over as coach and general manager of the UFL's Virginia Destroyers.

View full sizePlain Dealer Historical PhotoGary Danielson and Bernie Kosar flank then-Browns coach Marty Schottenheimer in a 1987 game at the old Cleveland Municipal Stadium. Schottenheimer has been named coach and general manager of the UFL's Virginia Destroyers.

Former Browns coach Marty Schottenheimer has joined the UFL as coach of the Virginia Destroyers.

That means four of the five teams in the league have NFL experience: Schottenheimer, the Hartford Colonials' Jerry Glanville, Las Vegas Locomotives' Jim Fassel and the Sacramento Mountain Lions' Dennis Green.

The fifth team, the Omaha Nighthawks, are coached by team President Joe Moglia, the former CEO of TD Ameritrade whose last coaching position was defensive coordinator for Dartmouth in 1983.

Schottenheimer, who last coached in the NFL in 2006 with the San Diego Chargers, will also be general manager of the franchise, USA Today reported.

"I am excited to lead the Destroyers and am eager to return to the football field in Virginia," Schottenheimer said.

"I have been impressed with the fervor and passion that has been created in the region for a team that has yet to play a down of football. I promise the fans there that we will repay them with a great product on the field and a franchise to make them proud."

Steelers backup quarterback Charlie Batch could lose Super Bowl rings in bankruptcy.

View full sizeAP FileSteelers' backup quarterback Charlie Batch, pictured in Washington before talks broke down in the NFL labor dispute that led to the current lockout, filed for bankruptcy last December. He may lose his two Super Bowl rings as a consequence.

Charlie Batch, the backup quarterback for the AFC champion Pittsburgh Steelers, isn't having the best few months.

His team lost the Super Bowl to the Green Bay Packers in February. But worse, at least on a personal level, he filed for bankruptcy in December 2010, listing $8.29 million in debts and $2.3 million in assets.

Last week, the bankruptcy judge lifted the temporary stay that's automatically imposed in a bankruptcy.

The result: Batch's creditors could take his assets, including two Super Bowl rings, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Review.

A Murrysville group can now pocket some of Charlie Batch's personal property, including two Super Bowl rings, to recover the money the Steelers backup quarterback owes the company, according to federal bankruptcy court documents.

U.S. Bankruptcy Court Judge Jeffery A. Deller lifted an automatic stay on Friday, giving Primerock Real Estate Fund LP the choice to collect on its $820,000 claim against Batch by seizing property he put up as collateral to secure the debt.

The property, valued at about the same amount as the debt, includes Batch's interest in a Munhall house, the assets of his living trust, a 2006 Kawasaki personal watercraft, federal income tax refunds and sports memorabilia and jewelry. The list of items Batch provided to the court includes two Super Bowl trophies and rings, several jerseys signed by other Steelers and an autographed Mario Lemieux jersey.

The pros who've lived it in the USFL and Canadian Football League know: The 18-game season is a grind, that likely will lead to more injuries and shorter careers.

View full sizeAP FileThis Nov. 24, 1996, file photo shows Toronto Argonauts' quarterback Doug Flutie scrambling against the Edmonton Eskimos during first half action at the Grey Cup in Toronto. For those wondering what the effects might be if the NFL goes through with its bid to expand from 16 to 18 regular-season games, take it from those who've been through it: It's a grind.

Doug Flutie remembers feeling how his arm was ready to fall off during his one year in the USFL. Nate Newton recalls how he did absolutely nothing but rest for an entire month after playing his two USFL 18-game regular seasons.

And former CFL quarterback Danny McManus can still see the telltale signs of blurry-eyed fatigue that set in on rookies when Week 13 rolled around in Canada with five games still left to play.

For those wondering what the effects might be if the NFL expands from 16 to 18 regular-season games, take it from those who've been through it: It's a grind.

"From week to week, game plan to game plan, there's the physical part, but the mental part of the preparation is what wears a guy down," said Newton, a former star offensive lineman, who began his pro career in 1984 with the USFL Tampa Bay Bandits. "You're going to blow a fuse. It's just bound to happen."

Newton got a taste of playing an 18-game season before going on to become a six-time Pro Bowl selection with the Dallas Cowboys.

McManus, who played for Florida State, spent 17 seasons in the CFL where 18-game schedules have been the norm since 1986.

"You'd see it around Week 13 through Week 16, these guys are just dragging themselves into the locker room," said McManus, who retired in 2006 and is now the head U.S. scout for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. "There's no doubt it's a grind to go 18 weeks. And we used to do it going 18 weeks straight."

Of course, that led to some unorthodox recuperating methods.

"The saying we have up in Canada is we ice from the inside out," McManus said, laughing. "And that's because of a lot of that Canadian beer up there. That's the quickest way to get into the muscles, to ice from the inside out."

These are among the sobering messages from several ex-USFLers and CFLers -- rounded out by Hall of Famer Jim Kelly, who broke in with the USFL's Houston Gamblers in 1984 before starring for the Buffalo Bills -- with firsthand knowledge of playing 18-game seasons.

All agreed the expanded schedules required a big adjustment from players.

And Kelly even wondered whether the NFL is using the 18-game schedule as a ploy in labor talks, which are now on hold after breaking down two weeks ago.

"It's almost like they're holding it over the players so they at least have something to give back," Kelly said. "This is my personal opinion."

Ploy or not, the NFL went into negotiations with a desire to expand its regular season for the first time since going from 14 to 16 games in 1978.

In going to 18 games, the NFL would eliminate two preseason games in exchange for adding two regular-season games with the prospect of generating more revenue.

NFL players have balked at the proposal.

They've complained that an expanded schedule would increase the risk of injuries and, as a result, have the potential of shortening careers, thus cutting into their money-earning potential and reducing their retirement benefits.

Players have also fear how much two more games would cut into their offseasons, which are already filled with mandatory and voluntary minicamps and workout programs from March to June.

The NFL did back off on its proposal in its last offer before talks broke down. The NFL proposed maintaining the 16 regular-season games and four preseason games for at least two years, with any switch to 18 games being negotiable.

Injuries, fatigue and weather conditions -- imagine how many fans would show up to a Week 19 mean-nothing game in January in wintry Buffalo, Kelly wondered -- were among concerns expressed by the each of 18-game veterans.

For Newton, an 18-game NFL schedule would require the league to expand its rosters from 53 to at least 60 players. And teams would be keen in stocking their lineup with at least two capable running backs and two quarterbacks to guard against injuries.

Flutie didn't even complete his one USFL season with the New Jersey Generals. His year ended 15 games in when he broke his collarbone after being sacked by Reggie White. Then again, Flutie's throwing arm was already feeling shot by then.

"I thought I was fine and I was gung-ho," Flutie said, of how he initially felt reporting for training camp. "And then, about four weeks into it, my arm felt dead and there was no break coming. ... You felt like the season should be over, and you're just at the midpoint."

The USFL experience made it easier for Flutie to adjust to the CFL, where he spent eight seasons. And it helped that training camps in Canada last three weeks, and teams only play two preseason games.

"And that's part of the problem in the NFL is they've got them all spring working out," Flutie said. "Then, you go through a long grueling training camp and the preseason games and then try to go 18 games. That's what I think would make it ridiculously difficult."

For McManus, the key in the CFL was players and coaches pacing themselves.

With so little time for preparation, McManus said teams approached the first two regular-season games with a preseason mentality in determining starters and developing game plans.

The CFL game is different from the NFL, and better suited to speedier players. The three-down league has 12-man lineups playing on wider and longer fields, that feature 20-yard end zones.

What's not different, as McManus noted: "Hitting is still hitting"

"Those guys in the trenches, to do that much hitting, you're going to start seeing some more shoulder injuries, head injuries," he said, noting injuries also occur when players get fatigued.

"We get that quite a bit," McManus said. "Guys aren't sure how to run a route or are just jogging through it and someone else on the other side is not jogging through it. That's where we get some of the injuries."

Links to stories looking ahead to Friday night's East Regional semifinal between the No. 1 Buckeyes and the tradition-laden Wildcats. And, more.

Joshua Gunter, The Plain DealerOhio State players (left to right) Jared Sullinger, Jon Diebler, William Buford, Aaron Craft and David Lighty enjoy the final minutes of the Buckeyes' 98-66 win over George Mason on Sunday.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- One national championship is great, even if -- in the case of Ohio State basketball history -- it occurred 51 years ago.

Two titles begins to set apart a program's legacy. The next team Ohio State must defeat to become a national champion for the first time since 1960 is Kentucky, a school that boasts seven titles, second only to UCLA's 11.

The Buckeyes (34-2), the nation's No. 1-ranked team, and the Wildcats (27-8) play in a East Regional semifinal on Friday night in Newark, New Jersey.

The winner will play for the regional title and a berth in the Final Four on Sunday, against the winner of Friday night's game between North Carolina (28-7) and Marquette (22-14). 

The Plain Dealer and cleveland.com continues its extensive Ohio State coverage, including beat writer Doug Lesmerises' story on Aaron Craft, the Buckeyes' star freshman point guard.

The Star-Ledger in Newark and NJ.com, sister publications of The Plain Dealer and cleveland.com, don't have to travel far to cover the East Regional. Included in their coverage is "Your ultimate guide to the NCAA East Regional in Newark," which is loaded with links to various stories and will be especially handy to Buckeyes' fans making the trip to Newark: with comprehensive information about the area, its restaurants and other venues, public transportation, etc.

The focal point will, of course, be the games.

Matt Norlander writes about the Ohio State-Kentucky matchup for CBSSports.com:

No game will get more run and buzz than Ohio State-Kentucky, and rightfully so. It’ll be the nation’s favorite for the national championship playing against the team with the nation’s most rabid fanbase.

Norlander regards Ohio State as the favorite, and comments:

Don’t deviate from your habits, and you’ll be just fine, Bucks. David Lighty’s incredible shooting has been a huge boost, but that’s just one of the pieces falling into place to get Ohio State its second national championship in school history. I like how many are now seeing what I’ve been saying since mid-January: Ohio State is a great basketball team.

Kentucky, with standouts such as point guard Brandon Knight, poses a legitimate threat to the Buckeyes. But, Norlander points out:

The problem is, this team’s young — a trait John Calipari’s teams will forever embody — and so it needs to grow up fast. Calipari’s a great coach, but his teams can act dumb on the regular, holding them from their potential. That can’t happen if UK wants to get by Ohio State/North Carolina.

Buckeyes and Wildcats

The matchup of star freshman point guards Aaron Craft of Ohio State and Brandon Knight of Kentucky. By Jerry Tipton of the Lexington (Ky.) Herald-Leader.

A Kentucky-Ohio State statistical comparison, from the Columbus Dispatch.

A note on a returning Buckeye, from Bob Baptist of the Columbus Dispatch.

Getting Newark's Prudential Center ready for the NCAA Regional games, by Ryan Hutchins of the Star-Ledger and NJ.com.

What Morehead State coach Donnie Tyndall has to say about Ohio State, which defeated his team earlier this season. By Jerry Tipton for the Lexington Herald-Leader.

Power rankings for the Sweet Sixteen, with lots of "inside basketball" comments and videos about the teams. By Luke Winn for Sports Illustrated's SI.com.

Comments, videos, etc., on the "State of The Dance," by Luke Winn for SI.com.

Looking to the East Regional, and maybe beyond, Andy Glockner wonders if anyone can beat the Buckeyes. For Sports Illustrated's SI.com.

The turnaround in Ohio State basketball since Thad Matta became the coach. An Associated Press story by Rusty Miller carried by the Dayton Daily News. 

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Final observations from the Cavs game against the New Jersey Nets Wednesday night at The Q: Can anything else go wrong for the Cavs this season? I almost hate to ask. Here they were, fighting the Nets to the wire, and Ramon Sessions, who probably drives to the basket in his sleep, just slips, loses his...

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Final observations from the Cavs game against the New Jersey Nets Wednesday night at The Q:

Can anything else go wrong for the Cavs this season? I almost hate to ask.

Here they were, fighting the Nets to the wire, and Ramon Sessions, who probably drives to the basket in his sleep, just slips, loses his footing...and the ball...and the game.

Really? Like any close game, there were a dozen other plays that could have changed the outcome. Kris Humphries getting an arena record and career high 23 rebounds kept the Nets alive because the Cavs couldn't keep him away from the ball.

The Cavs shot just 37.4 percent (34 of 91) and made just 2 of 12 3-pointers (16.7 percent) but they were still in the game because they played decent defense for 53 minutes.

But then they let it slip away. Literally. After losing games virtually every other way this season, what else could happen?

Final: Nets 98, Cavs 94, overtime. Overtime has been a friend to the Cavaliers this season, but not Wednesday night. For the first time in three overtimes this season, the Cavs came out on the short end of the stick against the Nets.

Ramon Sessions, who finished with 21 points and 8 rebounds, slipped while driving for a layup with about 30 seconds left The ball wound up in the hands of Jordan Farmar, who was hammered by Samardo Samuels with 26.9 seconds left. Farmar's free throws made it 94-90 and gave the Nets just enough room to beat the Cavs for the third time in four tries this season.

Cleveland, which had won overtime games against the New York Knicks and Los Angeles Clippers earlier this season, slipped to 13-57 with its fourth straight loss overall, its sixth straight at home.

Kris Humphries had 18 points and 23 rebounds for the Nets, who beat the Cavs for the third time in four tries this season to improve to 23-47.

The Cavs were still within 89-88 after two free throws by Sessions with 1:43 left in overtime. Brook Lopez missed two free throws and Farmar made one of two with 1:08 left. But Sessions missed a driving layup, Humphries got the rebound, was fouled by J.J. Hickson and made two more with 59.4 seconds left to push New Jersey's lead to 92-88.

Samuels tipped in a shot with 13.2 seconds left. Daniel Gibson fouled Anthony Morrow on the Nets inbounds play, and Morrow made two more free throws with 11.3 seconds left. Hickson grabbed an offensive rebound and scored with 5.8 seconds left to get the Cavs within 96-94.

Fourth quarter update: Cavs 82, Nets 82. Because you can never have too much of a good thing, teams head to overtime STILL not shooting 40 percent. Cavs at 37.2 (29 of 78) and Netsl 33.7 (30 of 89.) Anthony Parker missed a shot from the left elbow at the buzzer that would have won the game. Parker hit a 15-footer with 35.6 seconds left to put Cleveland ahead, 82-80, but Brook Lopez missed a shot and then tipped in the rebound over the outstretched arms of Ryan Hollins with 4.3 seconds left.

Third quarter update: Cavs 62, Nets 62. Nobody wants to be the worse team in this game. Neither team is shooting over 40 percent yet. Cavs getting closer at 38.6 (22 of 57) while Nets at 34.8 (23 of 66.) Cavs have 12 turnovers, Nets 11. At least no one has gotten hurt.

Halftime update: Cavs 42, Nets 39. The Cavs were just a little less bad than the Nets. Cleveland is shooting 16 of 43 (37.2 percent) while New Jersey is shooting 13 of 40 (32.5 percent.) But Nets own 31-26 edge on the boards, thanks to 13 rebounds by Kris Humphries. He also has eight points. J.J. Hickson leads the Cavs with nine points and 10 rebounds. If you're the Cavs, you can live with this.

First quarter update: Cavs 22, Nets 17. It was ugly, but Cavs coach Byron Scott got what he wanted by inserting Ryan Hollins into the starting lineup _ more size and a better start. Cavs made just 8 of 23 shots, for 34.8 percent, but they held Nets to 6 of 22, 27.3 percent, and forced six turnovers. They also got two fouls on Brook Lopez, who went to the bench with five minutes left.

Cavs starters: F Alonzo Gee, F J.J. Hickson, C Ryan Hollins, G Anthony Parker, G Ramon Sessions.

Nets starters: F Sasha Vujacic, F Kris Humphries, C Brook Lopez, G Anthony Morrow, G Jordan Farmar.

Injuries: Baron Davis (back spasms), Semih Erden (strained right adductor), Antawn Jamison (fractured left little finger), Anderson Varejao (torn tendon, right foot) are out for Cavs. Damion James (sore right foot), Quinton Ross (strained lower back), Deron Williams (strained tendon, right wrist) are out for Nets. Ben Uzoh sent to Springfield in DLeague.

Inactives: Erden, Jamison, Varejao for Cavs. Ross, Uzoh, Williams for Nets.

Officials: Marc Davis, Josh Tiven, Sean Wright.

Three things to watch:

1. How will Ryan Hollins fare against Brook Lopez?

2. Will Samardo Samuels continue his strong play coming off the bench?

3. Can J.J. Hickson stay focused on rebounding at power foward?

The Browns might have a shot at two of the top-rated defensive linemen in the draft, Clemson's Da'Quan Bowers and Auburn's Nick Fairley, but will have to decide if they're worth the risk.

APThe Browns love the pass-rush ability of Da'Quan Bowers, but his knee injury is a concern.

CLEVELAND — Two of the top-rated defensive linemen in the NFL Draft -- Clemson end Da'Quan Bowers and Auburn tackle Nick Fairley -- could slide to the Browns at No. 6, but both come with major red flags.

Bowers, widely regarded as the premier pass-rusher in the draft, is slipping on some draft boards because of a surgicially repaired knee, and Nick Fairley, thought by some to be the best interior lineman in the draft, is apparently falling because of character concerns.

Both have been mentioned as the possible No. 1 overall pick, but both now could be available to the Browns at No. 6. The question is, will their incredible talent outweigh their risks?

"There are legitimate concerns about [Bowers'] knee, and that's going to be addressed at his pro day, which he moved back a couple of times," NFL Network's Mike Mayock told profootballtalk.com Wednesday. "He told a bunch of teams at the [NFL] combine that he was 100 percent healthy and couldn't wait for his pro day. And then right before his pro day, he postponed his workout and didn't even show up.

"On top of that, there are some medical [red flags] coming out of the combine. So there's a huge question mark right now with Da'Quan Bowers that he's going to have to answer at his pro day. He'd be one guy that I think you have to say, 'Is he sliding?' "

Bowers, who underwent surgery to repair a torn meniscus in January, postponed his pro day from March 10 to April 1, and the Browns are planning to attend. He will also have his knee re-checked in Indianapolis on April 8.

At the combine last month, Bowers said: "I'm 100 percent. It was a small meniscus tear. I'm going to do all my workouts on pro day."

ESPN's Todd McShay said on a conference call Wednesday that Bowers -- who led the nation with 15.5 sacks in 2010 -- would be a "great fit" for the Browns at No. 6 if his knee checks out. In fact, he has the Browns taking him at No. 6 in his latest mock draft.

"Bowers can be a top-four prospect if he clears medically," said McShay. "I've talked to 12 different teams' personnel guys. Some teams think he favors the knee injury on tape. As a football player, he's one of the top-five players in this draft and belongs in the top-five, six, seven range."

He said Bowers would immediately impact the Browns' new 4-3 scheme.

"You can plug him in right away," McShay said. "He's a big, strong defensive end that can play on both sides. He's probably ideally suited to play left defensive end, but I think he certainly belongs in that 4-3 type of scheme."

Fairley is also giving teams pause because of taking plays off, a questionable work ethic and his sometimes dirty play. Both McShay and Mayock contend the bust risk is high.

"Fairley has phenomenal feet, athletic ability, agility and every other way you would try to describe a defensive tackle," said McShay. "I think he has a chance to be the best interior pass-rusher from this class. The problem is, he also has a chance to be a bust. I'm going to put it bluntly."

McShay said that of the eight defensive tackles selected in the first six picks between 1994 and 2007, "six were either tremendously disappointing or just flat-out busts" because they couldn't adjust to the pro game.

"The more tape you watch and analyze, the more concerned you are about the bust," said McShay.

McShay also predicted the Browns would select Colorado cornerback Jimmy Smith, another character risk, in the second round. Smith allegedly tested positive for drugs in 2007 and was arrested twice for possession of alcohol as a minor, according to the Denver Post.

"He'd be a steal [in the early second round], from a talent perspective," McShay said. "It's one of those times when you look at it and say: 'OK. There's a lot of risk here. But maybe it's worth the potential reward, getting a mid-first-round talent that late.' "

McShay ranks Smith right up there with Nebraska's Prince Amukamara, whom he thinks the Lions will take at No. 13.

"I hope [Smith] gets his off-the-field issues squared away," McShay said. "But because of that risk, there's a strong chance that he goes from where he should be drafted in the top-15 picks from a talent perspective to falling all the way out of the first round."

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

Orlando Cabrera knows his starting spot is temporary, that a new second baseman will probably be coming from Columbus by midseason. But the Indians know they still can use his experience and leadership.

View full sizeChuck Crow l The Plain DealerTribe second baseman Orlando Cabrera has 14 years of MLB know-how to offer the Indians' young infield.

GOODYEAR, Ariz. — Why did the Indians sign veteran Orlando Cabrera?

Because after last season, the Indians had the worst defensive infield in the American League last season, according to their own internal statistics.

It was more than errors. It was lack of range. It was double plays not turned. It was players moving from position to position, a complete lack of stability. Some of it was due to injuries, some to trades, some to players' failure.

But when the season ended, the only player assured a starting spot was Asdrubal Cabrera. At age 25 with 222 big-league games at shortstop, he was to be the infield's veteran leader.

Matt LaPorta was given first base -- a position he seldom played in the minors.

Second base?

They had Jason Donald . . .

No, wait a minute, Donald has to play third, because they want Lonnie Chisenhall to open the season at Class AAA. And Donald had played a grand total of three games at third -- in the minors.

Donald had nine errors in 47 games at shortstop last season when Asdrubal Cabrera was hurt -- and short was supposed to be his best position in the minors. Donald did play better at second base.

At one point, the infield being considered was Donald at third (no big-league games), Asdrubal Cabrera at short (222) and LaPorta at first (103).

Second base?

There was Jayson Nix (100 games). He was to keep the spot warm until Cord Phelps or Jason Kipnis arrived from the minors.

So Asdrubal Cabrera was the only projected starter with more than a full big-league season of 162 games at his position.

"Our lack of experience was a reason that we decided to bring in a veteran infielder," GM Chris Antonetti said. "We also had to upgrade our defense. We have a lot of groundball pitchers. We want them to throw strikes, but we also have to have guys who will catch the ball."

The Indians signed veteran free agents Adam Everett and Jack Hannahan to minor-league contracts. Even at 34, Everett is an above-average shortstop. Hannahan is 31, and a good third baseman. But neither can hit.

It was a week before spring training. Orlando Cabrera, 36, hadn't signed, despite playing shortstop and hitting .263 (.657 OPS) last season for Cincinnati, a playoff team.

Tribe manager Manny Acta always liked Orlando Cabrera. They go back more than 10 years when they were both with the Montreal Expos.

"He has won two Gold Gloves at shortstop," Acta said. "I know I said he could play second base with his eyes closed -- but he's had them open, and he's been good there. We need a guy like this."

The Indians signed Orlando Cabrera to a $1 million contract. Left unsaid is that they feared an injury to Asdrubal Cabrera, and they had no one to play short -- especially after Donald had so many problems last season. Luis Valbuena is set to play shortstop at Class AAA, and he was dismal at short in a few games for the Tribe in 2010.

"Orlando gives us a veteran who is not afraid to speak out," Acta said. "He's been in the playoffs six times in the last seven years. He's a respected player."

Both Cabreras have had excellent camps, and the defense up the middle has improved dramatically from a year ago. Asdrubal is hitting .431, Orlando .281. They have combined for one error all spring.

Orlando Cabrera knows his starting spot is temporary, that a new second baseman will probably be coming from Columbus by midseason. The Indians believe he can serve as a valuable utility infielder.

"Orlando is a good athlete," Antonetti said. "He is one of those shortstops who can smoothly transition to second or third. He gives us a lot of depth, and we need it."

The team doesn't say it, but they think he can also be traded for prospects during the season. He has been on five different teams in the past five seasons, starting for all of them -- and all made the playoffs. Odds are a contender will want him.

But in the meantime, the Indians really can use him.

Parker says his goal is to see a deal reached that is favorable to both the players and the owners.

View full sizeCavs guard and player representative Anthony Parker.

CLEVELAND, Ohio — Anthony Parker and Cavaliers assistant coach Chris Jent engaged in a long and complicated game of H-O-R-S-E after practice on Tuesday, ending when Jent hit a 3-point shot from the corner on one knee. Parker tried and missed, losing the contest, but he did hit his second attempt from that spot, even though it didn't count. 

Such perseverance and creativity will come in handy this summer when Parker represents his teammates at the bargaining table against the NBA. In a weird quirk, because he is a free agent with an expiring contract, it's possible Parker won't actually be a member of the Cavs he represents. 

"I don't know what the technicalities are," he said. "I've got the information and I will do my best to pass it on to them and try to keep them informed." 

Parker attended meetings during the All-Star Weekend but did not attend the meeting, reported by Yahoo! Sports, where NBA Commissioner David Stern told players he knew "where the bodies were buried." 

"I wasn't at that meeting," Parker said. "I heard about the article. I haven't had a chance to read that." 

Like most NBA players and player representatives, he has been following the NFL labor situation. 

"I think everybody's paying attention to it," Parker said. "One similarity with all negotiations is that nothing's really going to happen until there's a deadline approaching. If any movement happens at all, that's when it happens. That happened the last couple times we negotiated a CBA and I don't expect it to be too much different this time. We saw that with the NFL talks."  While the NFL players association decertified, Parker doesn't see that happening with the NBA players association. 

"I think our goal is to try to get a fair deal for the players and for the owners," he said. "As far as decertifying, that's not what we're thinking right now. We're trying to get a deal because everybody loses if there's no basketball."  

Speed trap: Cavs coach Byron Scott recently was discussing how NBA rookies see the game going 100 miles an hour, while veteran point guards such as Baron Davis see it at 10 or 15 miles an hour. He was asked if that was how he saw the game. 

"Probably about 50 miles an hour," Scott said. "Point guards are different. I was off the ball most of the time. Magic [Johnson], CP [Chris Paul] and Jason Kidd, Deron [Williams], they see it different. 

"I was able to watch the way they saw the game because I was on that side and I could see it coming, but they just see it in a different light. They're accountable for everybody on that floor and knowing where everybody's going to be at all times. 

"I just had to account for me, making sure I was in the right place at the right time. Point guards are special. That's why they almost dominate the league. When you've got a great point guard, you've got a chance to be really good."  
 

Carlos Carrasco again struggles on the mound for the Tribe.

View full sizeChuck Crow l The Plain DealerThe Indians' Carlos Carrasco allowed two taters Wednesday and has given up six in 16-2/3 innings this spring.

Clubhouse confidential: The Indians rallied to beat Kansas City, 8-7, on Cord Phelps' game-winning triple in the ninth inning at Goodyear (Ariz.) Ballpark. It was their fifth straight Cactus League win.

The Indians play San Francisco tonight at 10:05 p.m. in Scottsdale, Ariz. Left-hander David Huff will face Giants lefty Barry Zito.

Attendance: 2,762.

Records: Royals 14-10-1, Indians 12-11-2.

Starting rotation: Carlos Carrasco was ambushed in the fifth when the Royals hit for the cycle. He allowed five runs on five hits in the fifth, including a homer, double, triple and two singles. He's allowed six homers in 16 innings this spring.

Bullpen: Doug Mathis walked four, but somehow didn't allow a run in two innings. Rafael Perez and Tony Sipp pitched scoreless ball in the eighth and ninth, respectively. Sipp (1-0), who struck out two, earned the victory.

Let it roll: Carlos Santana, making his third start at first base, stole third base -- his first steal of the spring -- in the third inning. He tripled in the fifth. All that came after catching nine innings Tuesday. It would appear he feels confident in his surgically repaired left knee.

Long gone: Carrasco gave up a long home run to Kansas City first baseman Kila Ka'aihue to start the second. Ka'aihue's drive cleared the right-field wall and left the ballpark. He gave up another leadoff homer to Alcides Escobar in the fifth.

"He had six quality starts out of seven last year," manager Manny Acta said. "I don't care how many home runs he gives up. If he gives them up solo like he did today, and we have enough runs, he'll be OK. The bad part would be if he starts walking guys in front of them."

Terry Pluto scribbles about the Tribe and the Tale of Two Guys Named Carlos: a good day for Santana, a long afternoon for Carrasco.

View full sizeChuck Crow l The Plain DealerCarlos Santana is showing that he's recovered from last year's knee injury.

1. You'd never guess that Carlos Santana had knee surgery last year. He ripped a triple, complete with a head-first slide into third base. He also had a single and stole third base with another head-first slide. Santana was 2-of-3 with a walk. In his past two games, he has four hits and has raised his spring average to .308.

2. Santana caught nine innings Tuesday. He played first base for seven innings Wednesday. His knee seems sound. He also looks very comfortable at first, a position he never played before this spring. He will be the team's cleanup hitter.

3. Then there was Carlos Carrasco, who allowed only one run in his first four innings. Threw hard, looked good. Then came the fifth, when he pitched for the cycle. Yes, that means giving up a single, double, triple and homer. All in one-third of an inning. And he gave up five runs in that one-third of an inning. In his past two starts, Carrasco has allowed 16 hits and 12 earned runs in 101/3 innings.

4. Manager Manny Acta insisted he's not worried about Carrasco: "He hit a wall in that last inning. . . . His pitches were up in the zone. . . . He had a couple of good [games] early in camp. He's in great shape."

5. Acta didn't say it, but Carrasco's confidence can be a bit shaky, and the Indians want him to know they have faith in him. Carrasco turned 24 on Monday. The Indians look back to 2010, when he came up at the end of the season and was 2-2 with a 3.83 ERA in seven starts. He pitched at least six innings in all seven starts.

View full sizeAPMichael Brantley

6. Carrasco had a 2.08 ERA in his last 10 Class AAA starts -- and has pitched 363 innings in Class AAA. They see no reason to send him back to the minors. It's time for him to prove he can be a major-league starter.

7. Michael Brantley crushed a 400-foot triple to center. It's great to see him hit for some power, which was missing in his first 100 games (13 doubles, three triples, three homers) with the Tribe. He also made a great running catch against the center-field wall. He was 2-for-4.

8. Shin-Soo Choo hammered a 400-foot double off the wall and was 3-of-4. He is hitting .311 and "looks like he's locked in as if it's midseason," said Acta.

9. After Santana stole third, Acta said Choo said: "We've got a 5-tool catcher." That means a player who can do everything: run, throw, hit, hit for power and play defense.

10. Raffy Perez (1.93 ERA) and Tony Sipp (1.04 ERA) each threw a scoreless inning and are having excellent springs.

11. Lou Marson continues to struggle at the plate, hitting only .160. He was 0-of-3 Wednesday, and he also was 0-of-4 in Tuesday's minor-league game when he caught Josh Tomlin. He could open the season in the minors as the Tribe may want him to play every day.

12. The Indians have won five in a row. Acta said he told the players on Monday that he wanted them to approach games as if this were the regular season: "I can't just hit the switch on the first [April 1, Opening Day]. We need to go full blast."

Plain Dealer sportswriter takes a look at what to expect from the teams next season.

View full sizeCharles Rex Arbogast l Associated PressAkron's Quincy Diggs (22) and the rest of the Zips were bounced in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, but Diggs is a key returning player for the Zips next season.

All three teams surpassed 20 wins this season.

Akron struggled in the regular season, but emerged late and made the NCAA Tournament.

CSU and Kent finished as regular-season league champions and advanced to the National Invitation Tournament.

Here is a brief look at where the programs have been and where they are headed:

Cleveland State (27-9)

Tri-champions of the Horizon League

Key returnees: G Tre Harmon, G Jeremy Montgomery, C Aaron Pogue.

Key losses: G Norris Cole.

The loss of leading scorer Cole (21.7 ppg) clearly signals change for the Vikings.

But the decision of 6-10, 265-pound junior Joe Latas to be recognized on senior night signals his departure as well, even with one year of eligibility remaining.

There are only two scholarships available for CSU, but coach Gary Waters signed five recruits in the early signing period, meaning space will have to be made on the roster, as Waters has targeted several freshmen for major minutes.

The key recruit is 6-8 forward Anton Grady from Cleveland Central Catholic High. His arrival should be a boost to CSU's inside game, particularly when paired with veterans Luda Ndaye (6-9) and Charlie Woods (6-7). Waters will have a variety of forwards to play beside Pogue (6-9, 265).

The backcourt will also get a boost, as Strongsville's 6-6 Tim Kamczyz will move from power forward and add size to go with perimeter returnees D'Aundray Brown, Josh McCoy, Harmon and Montgomery (6-1). The Vikings should be an HL contender again in 2011-12.

Akron (23-13)

Mid-American Conference Tournament champion

Key returnees: F Nik Cvetinovic, G Brett McClanahan, C Zeke Marshall, G Quincy Diggs.

Key losses: G Steve McNees, G Darryl Roberts, F Brett McKnight.

The Zips tied for third in the MAC East. They will be a league favorite in 2011-12 with the emergence of 7-0 sophomore Marshall (8.5 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 2.6 bpg) and a transition toward a bigger, more athletic team.

Should 6-8 junior Cvetinovic return for his senior season instead of leaving for his native Serbia, the Zips will have their leading scorer (11.7 ppg) and rebounder (6.9 rpg) in the fold.

Also returning will be 6-4 sharpshooter McClanahan (10 ppg), and a pair of impressive newcomers in point guard Alex Abreu and swingman Diggs. That's a quality and experienced starting five. It will be bolstered by a pair of transfers in 6-4 point guard Brian Walsh from Xavier and 6-5 swingman Chauncy Gilliam from Maryland-Baltimore County.

The three X-factors are 6-8 freshman Josh Egner, who only needs experience to unleash his top-shelf athleticism; and two non-qualifiers -- 6-6 Nick Harney and 6-7 Demetrius Treadwell, both of whom are getting academically ready for next season.

With five straight MAC Tournament championship appearances and two NCAA berths in the past three seasons, look for the Zips to be among the elite of the MAC next season.

Kent State (25-12)

MAC regular-season Champion, NIT quarterfinalist

Key returnees: C Justin Greene, F Justin Manns, G Randal Holt, G Mike Porrini, G Carlton Guyton.

Key losses: Rod Sherman.

Defense and grit made Kent a cut above, because by primarily playing a four-guard unit most of the season, KSU was clearly rolling the dice.

However, by the end of the season, which included a three-game run in the NIT, the emergence of 6-11 junior Manns (4.7 ppg, 4.9 rpg) as a rebounding and defensive presence seemed to take some of the focus off of leading scorer Greene (15.3 ppg, 8.5 rpg) and give the team a different look.

Also, 37 games of experience and success for a roster with 10 newcomers bodes well for the future.

The loss of Sherman (12.6 ppg) points to what was a thin KSU bench all season, with only seven players getting regular minutes.

In the wings is 6-6 transfer guard Patrick Jackson from Rutgers.

While there is no doubt Kent will contend for a third straight MAC title, the Golden Flashes clearly need their three interior freshmen -- 6-6 Robert Johnson, 6-8 Mark Henniger and 6-9 Darius Leonard -- to make off-season improvements.

Kent is looking to sign 6-7 Chris Evans from Wabash Junior College and 6-4 Kris Brewer from Brehm (Ill.) Prep School, according to recruiting websites.

Also on campus is non-qualifier Jarekious Bradley, a 6-5 player from Memphis getting academically ready for next season.

Kent has the look of a 20-win postseason team once again in 2011-12.

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: ealexander@plaind.com, 216-999-4253

Ohio State's Thad Matta and Kentucky's John Calipari, who face each other Friday in the Sweet 16, have had more one-and-done players than any coaches in this era of college basketball. Now they'd like to win a national title with one.

View full sizeJoshua Gunter l The Plain DealerThad Matta has the Buckeyes in the Sweet 16, thanks in large part to freshman Jared Sullinger, left, who is expected to leave after one season at Ohio State and enter the NBA draft.

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Love or hate the one-and-done rule in men's college basketball, there's no doubting that John Calipari and Thad Matta have adjusted to the new realities of the game better than anyone.

Friday, the second-year coach at Kentucky and seventh-year coach at Ohio State will send onto the court six more freshmen -- three in each team's rotation -- who will go a long way toward deciding whether the No. 1 seed Buckeyes or No. 4 seed Wildcats advance to the East Regional final Sunday.

A few of them -- Ohio State's Jared Sullinger and Kentucky's Terrence Jones and Brandon Knight -- certainly have the option of leaving after this season as first-round NBA Draft picks. But while high picks are good for recruiting and pump up a program, the whole idea of grabbing that talent for a year is to win with it.

"Nobody knows how hard it is," Matta said, praising Calipari for getting back to the Sweet 16 this season after losing four freshmen to the NBA's first round from last year's UK Elite Eight team. "Everybody says, 'Well, he's got great talent.' But you've got to coach those guys, and it's a lot easier said than done."

Since the 2006-07 season, the first in which the NBA option was no longer available to high school seniors, Calipari has sent six players into the NBA Draft, two at Memphis and the four at Kentucky, while Matta has seen five one-and-done players at Ohio State.

View full sizeAPThat's right, Kentucky coach John Calipari has two freshman who might leave after one season.

That's above and beyond any other coaches in the game.

Next on the list of one-and-done coaches is Georgia Tech's Paul Hewitt, with three. Actually make that former coach Hewitt, because he just got fired. Of the four other coaches with at least two one-and-done players, Southern Cal's Tim Floyd was fired as well, as a direct result of impropriety surrounding one of those players, O.J. Mayo.

In fact, 18 coaches have dealt with the 33 one-and-done players in the previous four years, and six of them have been fired, either for not winning enough or for recruiting violations -- Hewitt, Floyd, LSU's John Brady, Indiana's Kelvin Sampson, North Carolina State's Sidney Lowe and Oklahoma's Jeff Capel.

Comparatively, in six instances a team with a one-and-done player has reached the Sweet 16: Calipari three times (Memphis to the '08 title game, Memphis to the '09 Elite Eight and Kentucky to the '10 Elite Eight), UCLA's Ben Howland to the '08 Final Four, North Carolina's Roy Williams to the '07 Elite Eight, and Matta to the '07 title game run led by one-and-done players Greg Oden, Mike Conley Jr. and Daequan Cook.

So a one-year brush with a future NBA millionaire can get you fired as much as it can get you deep in the tournament.

"Sometimes I don't think people will listen when I say this," Calipari said before the Wildcats opened their NCAA Tournament in Tampa last week. "I don't like the rule. I don't like the one-and-done. I don't think it's good for college, I don't think it's good for the NBA. But it's a rule that we have to live with. I recruit the best players I can recruit, and I don't try to hold them back."

ESPN senior recruiting analyst Dave Telep said Matta's success with the rule has been more by chance -- grabbing Oden, Conley and Cook off the same AAU team, then seeing both Conley in 2007 and B.J. Mullens in 2009 leave perhaps unexpectedly after one year. Matta has never shied away from that talent, but when told earlier this season that Michigan State's Tom Izzo is reluctant to recruit one-and-done players, Matta said Izzo would recruit them if they lived in Michigan. And Cook, Mullens and Kosta Koufos were all from Ohio.

Telep said almost all coaches, whether they admit it or not, cringe a bit at the prospect of one-and-done players, but "if your team can absorb a guy like that and you think he'll help you win, I don't think there's a coach in his right mind who wouldn't try to take the kid if he fit the parameters of your program."

Matta probably belongs in that coaching group, as the most successful example.

Calipari is a breed of his own. Telep points out how he has created a one-and-done point guard position within his program -- starting with Derrick Rose and Tyreke Evans at Memphis and extending through John Wall and now Knight at Kentucky, where "he can say, 'If you're our point guard, you're a lottery pick,' " Telep said. "He has a great acceptance of the idea that guys are going to be one-and-done. He's almost a pioneer."

The one thing a one-and-done player hasn't done since the rule change is win a national title. That's where Calipari and Matta, who both came as close as anyone, losing in the title game with future NBA No. 1 draft picks, Matta in 2007 and Calipari in 2008, would really like to break new ground.

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

The Cavaliers have lost a lot of games this season in a lot of ways, but they let one slip away against the New Jersey Nets on Wednesday night -- literally -- when Ramon Sessions loses his footing when driving for a tying layup late in the Cavs' 98-94 overtime loss.

CLEVELAND, Ohio — The Cavaliers have lost a lot of games this season in a lot of ways, but they let one slip away against the New Jersey Nets on Wednesday night in The Q. Literally.

"I just slipped," guard Ramon Sessions said, shaking his head, after the Cavs' 98-94 loss in overtime. "I just lost my footing. I knew I was going to travel, so I just tried to draw some kind of contact."

Sessions, who led the Cavs with 21 points and tied his season high with eight rebounds, had a chance to tie the game at 92-92 with one of his signature driving layups with about 30 seconds left in overtime. But when he slipped, he raised his arms and the ball ended up in the hands of Nets guard Jordan Farmar. Cavs forward Samardo Samuels hammered Farmar with 26.9 seconds left, and Farmar made two free throws as the Nets held on to beat the Cavs for the third time in four meetings this season.

Forward Kris Humphries had 18 points and an arena-record and career-high 23 rebounds to lead the Nets, who improved to 23-47.

"He's active," said the Cavs' J.J. Hickson, who moved back to power forward. "He's a big strong body and he knows how to position his body to get rebounds."

Hickson had 17 points and 17 rebounds but made just 5 of 15 shots from the field against Humphries as the Cavs dropped their fourth straight to fall to 13-57.

Cavs coach Byron Scott elected to juggle his lineup before the game, inserting the 7-0 Ryan Hollins at center in order to counter New Jersey's 7-0 center Brook Lopez. That allowed Hickson to return to his natural power forward position and put Samuels back on the bench.

Scott made it clear Samuels had done nothing wrong. He thought the Cavs just needed the extra size and the energy that Hollins has played with lately --especially if the Cavs were going to avoid yet another slow start.

They did manage to do that, leading, 22-17 after the first quarter and 42-39 at the half. Lopez got into foul trouble and played just 11 minutes in the first half, although he did finish with 18 points and five rebounds in 32:39.

Hollins was physical with Lopez and made him work for his points, but he took no consolation after the loss.

"I don't think anything else really matters if you don't win the game," said Hollins, who finished with six points and five rebounds. "We lost the game so I'm not concerned with individual performances. I know I played as hard as I could play, so I'll give myself that. But we win as a team and lose as a team."

Hollins defended Lopez well at the end of regulation, forcing him to miss an 8-footer, but Lopez was able to tip in the rebound and tie the score, 82-82, with 4.3 seconds left. Anthony Parker, who'd given the Cavs an 82-80 lead with a 15-footer with 12.1 seconds left, missed another 15-footer at the buzzer.

The Nets scored 11 of their 16 points in overtime at the line, and Scott wasn't thrilled they got that many chances -- although he was pleased overall with the Cavs' defense, which limited the Nets to 34 percent shooting for the game.

"Down the stretch on the offensive end we've just got to do a much better job of executing," Scott said. "With the young bunch of guys we have who are inexperienced in being in that situation, this might be a good learning session for us tomorrow when we take a look at it on film. But I thought we competed big time, then made a couple of ill-advised fouls down the stretch."

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: mschmitt@plaind.com, 216-999-4668