Notre Dame College is the only Ohio college wrestling program in history to capture back- to-back national championships.

View full sizeNotre Dame College wrestling coach Frank Romano.

So after his Notre Dame College wrestling team captured the 2010 NAIA championship, coach Frank Romano came up with a plan: He would enter his wrestlers in the toughest tournaments he could find, many featuring competition against NCAA Division I wrestlers.

It worked. On March 5 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, the Falcons successfully defended their championship, scoring 170 points to outdistance Lindenwood (Mo.) at 141 and the other 37 teams in the field.

NDC, in South Euclid, is the only Ohio college wrestling program in history to capture back- to-back national championships. (In 1975, John Carroll won the NCAA Division III championship; and in 1993, Findlay won the NAIA championship.)

Two NDC wrestlers, senior Dante Rini (Massillon) and sophomore Orlando Scales, captured individual titles.

Rini, ranked No. 3 in the nation, won at 125 pounds, 5-3, over No. 5 Johnny Papesh from Campbellsville (Ky.).

Scales, ranked No. 2 in the heavyweight division, used a third-period takedown to defeat No. 5 Leviticus Roberson of Midland (Neb.), 3-2.

They became the sixth and seventh NDC wrestlers to earn national titles for a program launched in 2006.

Ashtin Primus at 149, Thomas Straughn (Massillon) at 157 and Derek Foore (Wadsworth) at 197 were Notre Dame's runner-up finishers. Nine NDC wrestlers earned NAIA All-America status by finishing in the top eight.

The title brings to a close NDC's dominating run in the NAIA. The Falcons had been ranked No. 1 in the NAIA poll every week since Nov. 24, 2009. Romano figured the tough schedule would keep his Falcons working hard. "It couldn't have worked out better," said Romano, a team captain at Ohio State (1969-70). ". . . It's been amazing."

An interesting ride lies ahead for the Falcons.

NDC is moving from the NAIA to NCAA Division II status. The NCAA has designated the 2011-12 season as a transitional year for NDC's athletic teams, and the Falcons will not be eligible for the Division II championships until the following year, 2013. So, Romano plans to redshirt the top returnees from this year's team and have the Falcons ready to compete for a Division II national title in two years.

Thistledown won't be racing under the lights this season, but the North Randall track could be sending off the thoroughbreds until the sun is almost down.

View full sizePlain Dealer file photoThistledown plans to keep the racing under natural daylight this season.

Thistledown won't be racing under the lights this season, but the North Randall track could be sending off the thoroughbreds until the sun is nearly down.

General Manager Lee Dillard said he would like to have later post times on Saturdays in May and June to attract new customers.

"We're looking at racing later in the afternoon, though, not at night," Dillard said. "We won't be installing lights at the track or asking to race after dark."

The later post times might take advantage of Northfield Park's new schedule of switching from live Saturday evening races in May and June to simulcast racing that would include the popular Triple Crown thoroughbred races.

Thistledown is allowed live racing until 7 p.m., although its live programs have ended much earlier in the past. Track officials are reportedly considering later post times on Fridays and Saturdays that might flirt with the 7 p.m. restriction.

Thistledown would have to get the green light from the Ohio State Racing Commission to hold a race after 7 p.m. It is a move Northfield Park officials would certainly oppose, spokesman Dave Bianconi said. Thistledown wouldn't need to install lights to race until 8 p.m. The North Randall sunsets range from 8:24 p.m. on May 1 to 9:05 p.m. on June 30.

Horses aplenty: There are only about 50 to 60 horses on the Thistledown grounds this week. That will change quickly as the chilly, wet weather improves and the track gets closer to its April 23 opener, Director of Racing Bill Couch said.

"We've had 1,500 applications for stalls, and can accommodate 1,200 horses," Couch said. "We haven't had any cancellations yet. I expect a full barn area around the time the season opens."

Foiled at Yonkers: Foiled Again, a powerhouse pacer foiled at Northfield Park last summer, will try to defend its title in the George Morton Levy Memorial Pacing Series at Yonkers Raceway on Saturday. It is the premier event for free-for-all pacers at the New York oval. Owned by Burke Racing, Weaver Bruscemi and JJK Stables, Foiled Again missed a repeat victory in Northfield's $100,000 Battle of Lake Erie last summer. It took a track record 1:49.4 mile by Francis Azur's Hypnotic Blue Chip, with Won the West second and Foiled Again third.

On Saturday, Foiled Again is facing Southwind Lynx, the 2007 winner of Yonkers' richest race, the $1 million Art Rooney Pace.

This year's Battle of Lake Erie is July 23.

Northfield news: The Gulfstream Handicapping Contest at Northfield Park continues through April 24, with $900 on the line. The $5,000 final is May 14. To boost fan interest in the simulcast of the Florida Derby on April 3, Northfield will hand out $5 in match-play funds, a $3 food coupon and a free simulcast book to those entering the Gulfstream contest.

The track will bring back $5,000 Free Money Fridays in April for its Players Club members. Each member will get an envelope on arrival that randomly contains $1 to $100 in cash.

Live from Dubai: Thistledown will feature the richest horse races in the world Saturday from Dubai's Meydan Racecourse. The simulcast lineup includes the $5 million Dubai Sheema Classic, the $10 million Dubai World Cup and the $5 million Dubai Duty Free. The Duty Free goes to post at 11:45 a.m., the Sheema Classic at 12:50 p.m. and the World Cup at 1:35 p.m. Thistledown will open its doors at 11:30 a.m.

Hoosiers hurting: Indiana legislators attracted race horses and horse breeding farms by giving the Hoosier horse racing industry a big cut of the racetrack gaming profits for purses at Hoosier Park and Indiana Downs. As horse racing slumped in Ohio, standardbred, thoroughbred and quarter-horse racing blossomed in Indiana because of the rich purses. It appears now that Indiana's vibrant horse racing industry could face big problems.

Indiana's proposed two-year state budget bill would cut gaming revenue going to the tracks by about 55 percent, from $60 million to $27 million.

"As a business and horse racing industry consultant, I know of no business or industry that can lose over half its revenue and survive, let along thrive," Ed Martin Jr., a legislative consultant, told Blood-Horse magazine.

Old age home: When Ball Four, a graded stakes winner as a young horse, slipped into lowly $4,000 claiming races at age 10, Michael Blowen took notice. The owner of the Georgetown, Ky.-based Old Friends equine retirement facility, Blowen liked Ball Four's name and winning ways at long odds. Blowen planned to claim Ball Four and retire the bay gelding, who had won $730,470 in his career. Fans and horsemen donated enough to cover the claiming price.

Instead, Ball Four's owner Bruce Golden and trainer David Jacobson decided to make Ball Four a former race horse. They gave Ball Four to Blowen's retirement home for old horses. The donations already received will benefit Old Friends.

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: degan@plaind.com, 216-999-5158

Kilgore improves his strength and endurance, and that makes the difference in a championship season.

View full sizeAssociated PressKent State's Dustin Kilgore, top, wraps up Cornell's Cam Simaz during a 197-pound semifinal match at the NCAA Division I wrestling championships last Friday. Kilgore won the title at 197 pounds on Saturday.

KENT, Ohio — For Dustin Kilgore, one off-season decision made all the difference in turning him into an NCAA wrestling champion, the first in Kent State history.

The Berea High product pinned Oklahoma State's Clayton Foster with four seconds left in the second period of their 197-pound final Saturday at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia. Foster entered the match 26-0.

For three straight seasons, including one as a redshirt, Kilgore had wrestled successfully at 184 pounds. But at the end of his sophomore season, Kilgore felt sluggish and not as strong as he wanted. Over the summer, the 5-10 grappler grew to 215 pounds through training, albeit away from the eyes of his coaches.

"If it was up to me, he would have worked out [in Kent]," wrestling coach Jim Andrassy said. "But he spent the summer in Alaska. I didn't worry too much; he's an outdoors guy, so I knew he'd do more than just fishing."

The hiking and strength training added to what Andrassy said is Kilgore's real strength as a wrestler: Endurance. One of many practice drills the Flashes run include seven minutes on the mat where one wrestler stays until he is taken down, and once a wrestler is taken down, a fresher wrestler replaces him.

"We throw coaches at him, kids at him, heavyweights at him, and he never gets tired," Andrassy said. "He has great endurance. He was born with special endurance."

Still, at the end of his sophomore season, Kilgore was not at his best. After he put on the extra weight over the summer, he decided to move up in weight class to 197 pounds for the 2010-11 season.

"I was so fresh at the end of the year," the junior said. "I wasn't sore or anything like that in previous years. I had so much energy. My energy level was so high, I wasn't depressed about anything, I was just excited. It was a real treat to go out there and win that, because I felt better than ever before.

"I never really felt out of place [at 197]. This was a whole new weight class of guys I had never really wrestled before. So I just gave it my all."

Not having to grapple with guys he had gone against time and again gave him the adrenaline rush of a new challenge, instead of working his way through a line of the same guys over and over again.

"Everything really fell in order for me," said Kilgore, seeded No. 4 going into the tournament. "It helped a lot. When you wrestle a guy over and over, you learn each other's moves, and it makes for a tough mach when both of you know what the other guy is doing. But this was new, you don't know what is going to happen. You feel like you can try anything and it is going to work."

Kilgore was trailing, 5-1, with 30 seconds remaining in the second period of his title match with Foster. Little did people know that the longer the match goes, the better for Kilgore.

That seven-minute drill kicked in, he felt stronger, ultimately got the pin, and the national championship. He finished the season 38-2 overall.

"In my coaching career, it was one of the most exciting things I have ever witnessed," Andrassy said.

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

CLEVELAND, Ohio — The first time Cleveland Central Catholic coach Kevin Noch laid eyes on Anton Grady, he didn't like the picture. It was August 2007 when Grady walked into the St. Stanislaus Recreation Center on the high school campus for the first time for an open gym session.

Cleveland Central Catholic’s Anton Grady, a Cleveland State recruit, has overcome adversity through his family at home, specifically his grandmother, and his family at school. Friday, Ohio’s Division III Co-Player of the Year leads the Ironmen into the state semifinals. - (Lonnie Timmons III l PD)

CLEVELAND, Ohio — The first time Cleveland Central Catholic coach Kevin Noch laid eyes on Anton Grady, he didn't like the picture.

It was August 2007 when Grady walked into the St. Stanislaus Recreation Center on the high school campus for the first time for an open gym session.

"I didn't care for the way he was dressed or the way he carried himself," Noch recalled. "He had on these low-cuts [sneakers] and a do-rag on his head. I didn't know who he was."

Even though Noch was about to begin his rookie season as coach at his alma mater, it didn't take him long to realize Grady had a chance to be special.

"He was about 6-4 and maybe, and I mean maybe, 165 pounds," Noch said. "He got into the open-gym games and he got winded right away. He was out of shape and out of breath. He could hardly dribble and he struggled to dunk, even at 6-4. He might tell you different. It wasn't until later that I found out he'd only been playing basketball for about a year."

Grady, now a Cleveland State recruit who will lead Central Catholic into Friday's state semifinals at Ohio State against Portsmouth, has come a long way since that first venture to the rec center. On Tuesday, the kid they call "Silk" was named Co-Player of the Year in the state in Division III. Four years ago, it was different.

"Everything was new for me back then," said Grady, who is averaging 21.1 points and 14.5 rebounds this season. "It was my first year of high school, my first year of basketball and I had to learn a whole new basketball environment. And, it was coach Noch's first year, so everything was new for everyone. It was a learning experience."

Grady is guarded in his conversations with people outside his circle, rarely offering insight to his feelings or his past.

"He can be a private guy with strangers," Noch said. "It takes a while to gain his trust. But once he learns that he can trust you, he opens up."

One of the first things Noch did was take his young star-in-waiting aside for a serious talk.

"I told him he could choose one of two roads to follow," Noch said. "I told him that in 10 years, he could be walking the streets with all his pals, hanging out, doing nothing. Or, he could stay here, work hard, play high school basketball and hopefully get a college scholarship and a degree. He said he wanted to follow the second road. That told me something."

The second thing Grady learned is practice would begin every day at 5:30 a.m.

"We all just looked at one another," Grady remembered. "It was like 5:30 in the morning? That's crazy."

While the Noch-Grady relationship today could pass as a commercial for the mutual admiration society, there were times the two clashed.

"A million times," Noch said, laughing at his exaggeration. "It always comes back to Anton understanding what I wanted. He always turned the corner and came back and did what we wanted him to do. Hey, every family has issues, struggles. That's life. We had our handful of issues, but it was always corrected. It never got out of hand."

Grady dodges questions about one such incident this season when he and a teammate were suspended one game for a team violation Noch deemed inappropriate.

"It was nothing serious, believe me," Noch said, while declining to elaborate. "It was just a basketball-related infraction, a big-headed instance of Anton doing something he shouldn't have. We're all beyond it."

Grady said it was a matter of miscommunication, of someone taking something out of context.

"I apologized," he said. "It was just somebody taking something the wrong way."

The game Grady and teammate Greg Snyder missed cost the Ironmen an expected victory against Padua but Noch is convinced it was the best loss of the season.

"It kind of turned us around," he said.

The Padua loss left the Ironmen with a 6-8 record and ended a free fall in which they tumbled out of The Plain Dealer Top 25. Since then the Ironmen have won 12 straight games and enter the state semifinals playing their best basketball of the season.

"We've put things in another gear," Grady said. "We had some tough losses early. But the guys started to catch on. We have the pedal to the floor now and we're going as fast as we can."

Grady, 18, grew up in the tough neighborhood around East 93rd Street and Kinsman Road. He was raised by his grandmother, Deborah Coleman, from age 4 and they moved to a house in Slavic Village, within walking distance of Central Catholic, before Grady's freshman year. His parents have had struggles, but now are back in Grady's life.

"I wasn't going to let him grow up without family," said Coleman, who works as a nutritionist. "The good Lord helped me raise him and get him through. He was always an obedient child, but he likes to tease his grandmother, though. But, I am very proud of him and what he has accomplished."

Noch, a product of a single-parent upbringing, can relate.

"It's not easy growing up without parents around all the time," he said. "I am proud of the way Anton has dealt with it."

It is easy to see Grady owns a special place in Noch's heart and not just because he is a terrific athlete.

"I love him," Noch said. "He has come a long, long way as a person and not just a basketball player. He has become the leader of this team. He is a kid who listens to what you are saying. He wants to do the right thing. He wants to be successful."

Grady takes special pride in his academics and said he has not earned a grade-point average of less than 3.3 since his freshman year. He gives the school and its faculty much of the credit.

"The school has made me a better person," he said. "The teachers put in a lot of care to help me understand the work. I struggled my freshman year but now I'm on top of my grades."

It did not take long for Grady to make his presence felt at Central Catholic. By the time he was a sophomore, he had grown four inches to 6-8 and was the tallest player on a team that included seniors Demetrius Bennett, Brandon Campbell and Derrick Bufford and talented junior Chall Montgomery. They won the state championship.

The 2009-10 season was different. Grady, now being recruited by schools such as Michigan State, Dayton and Cincinnati, battled knee injuries and finally had arthroscopic surgery that cost him most of the season.

Grady has assumed the role Campbell, Bennett and Bufford held two years ago and said he loves it.

"This year I'm the guy who's been on the varsity for four years," he said. "I'm the guy who's been through it all and has won a state title. The players have someone to look up to, someone to turn to. I love it. I love being that guy. If you come out strong, your team will follow. And we are strong right now."

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

While LaPorta is second on the team with 10 RBI this spring, he's only hitting .174.

View full sizeChuck Crow l The Plain DealerIndians first baseman Matt LaPorta is hitting .174 (8-for-46) this spring with two homers and 10 RBI.

GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- It has been a slow spring at the plate for first baseman Matt LaPorta. Though he has 10 RBI, two behind team leaders Travis Buck and Shin-Soo Choo, he's hitting just .174 (8-for-46) with two homers.

Manager Manny Acta has made it clear all he wants LaPorta to do is be productive. Acta needs LaPorta's right-handed bat in a lineup dominated by lefties.

Hitting coach Jon Nunnally has been trying to get LaPorta to shift into a lower gear.

"Coming off last year and going into this year, he really wants to get after it," Nunnally said. "He's been a little jumpy. I've been trying to slow him down."

LaPorta hit a disappointing .221 (83-for-376) with 12 homers and 41 RBI last season for the Indians. He had 82 strikeouts, 46 walks and an on-base percentage of .306.

"He's getting better," Nunnall said. "He's taking some pitches. He's walking a little bit. He's not just jumping all over the place."

LaPorta has five walks and nine strikeouts in 16 games this spring.

"He's calmed down in the last week and a half or so," Nunnally said. "He's starting to see the ball better and making some good passes. He thought he was seeing the ball good before, but he wasn't."

Homecoming? The Indians expect the first two players taken in the Rule 5 Draft in December will be returned to them.

Pittsburgh used the first pick to take infielder Josh Rodriguez. Seattle used the second pick to take right-hander Jose Flores.

Pittsburgh and Seattle must keep Rodriguez and Flores in the big leagues or offer them back to the Indians at half of the $50,000 purchase price. Rodriguez and Flores must clear waivers to return to the Indians. Any team that claims them would be facing the same situation.

The Pirates are said to be trying to work a trade with the Indians to keep Rodriguez. The Indians, however, need shortstops in the upper levels of their minor-league system.

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

He's hitting .269 (7-for-26) with two RBI in 16 games at shortstop for the Pirates this spring.

Flores, 21, has appeared in four games for the Mariners. He has a 12.27 ERA (five earned runs in 3 innings). He's struck out three, walked four and allowed four hits.

Flores, 6-3 and 250 pounds, pitched at Class A Lake County last year. He had 51 strikeouts and seven walks in 42 innings.

Live with it: Grady Sizemore will play in a minor-league game today at the Indians' training complex instead of playing with the Indians tonight against San Francisco in Scottsdale, Ariz.

Acta said Sizemore will DH and hit second in every inning.

Decision time: With David Huff starting against the Giants tonight and Jeanmar Gomez following him to the mound, a decision on the fifth starter is at hand.

"With them both pitching tomorrow [tonight], we'll make a decision after that," Acta said.

Josh Tomlin is favored to win the job.

Problems: The front office is going to be scrambling to finalize the 25-man roster because several of the players they like aren't on the 40-man roster. That means a space will have to be created for players such as Buck, Adam Everett, Justin Germano and Jack Hannahan if they make the club.

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

Smith, however, thinks there's still a chance he can sneak on the roster for Opening Day. He's recovering from a strained abdominal muscle, but has played catch the past two days.

The Indians have said they will not push him to get him ready for Opening Day.

If they put the TV rights up for bid on the Barry Bonds trial, Comedy Central would be the favorite, Bud Shaw writes.

View full sizeMarcio Jose Sanchez l Associated PressThe excuses offered by Barry Bonds tend to test the ability to suspend disbelief.

Kids: Always tell the truth, unless you have a childhood friend who will go to jail over and over for refusing to rat you out.

A man in Scotland faced losing his license after getting caught driving 64 mph in a 30 mph zone. He admitted the offense in court, but fought the driving ban by arguing that if he lost his license, he could not commute between the residences of his two wives (allowed in his religion) to perform matrimonial duties.

This anecdote is shared as a public service for jury members in the Barry Bonds perjury case.

In the event jurors wonder if Bonds' argument is the most ridiculous defense ever heard, they can at least reference the Scotland case for some perspective before saying yes, most certainly yes, and not just in America.

Bonds has admitted he used steroids. The problem for him is he swore to a grand jury that trainer Greg Anderson told him it was flaxseed oil and arthritic cream.

At any point during the BALCO investigation that led to the perjury charge, Bonds could have cut his losses. He could have concocted a story that he noticed changes in his body and that, alarmed, he pressed Anderson for more details. That once he learned it was steroids, he stopped taking them.

Had he admitted he knowingly used them, the whole steroid matter would be behind him now. But Bonds felt invincible, emboldened by Anderson's refusal to talk.

Given the chance again Tuesday, Anderson declined. Almost a year of his 421 days in prison is for not cooperating. Only three months was for steroid distribution. He will return to prison yet again.

Anderson's lawyers contend he is not keeping quiet in hopes of his childhood friend makes it all worth his while some day with a secret payoff on the island of Tahiti.

Bonds' claim essentially means Anderson sabotaged his career by giving him 'roids without his knowledge, subjecting him to positive tests, health risks and a soiled Hall of Fame candidacy. And still Anderson won't talk?

The problem for the prosecution is it must prove Bonds perjured himself. Without Anderson's testimony, evidence from the BALCO investigation can't be used.

Bonds could well be found not guilty.

But that will come at a cost.

A mistress, Kimberly Bell, is expected to testify about his diminished sexual capacities because of his steroid use.

A former employee will say she saw Anderson inject Bonds with steroids despite Bonds telling the grand jury Anderson never injected him with anything. She will say she saw him get injected through his belly button. (Bonds would remember that, no?)

The defense will attempt to discredit witnesses as bitter ex-employees and ex-friends with an ax to grind. Whatever the jury decides, most people will think Bonds knowingly used steroids anyway.

Nothing changes really. The road to Cooperstown isn't suddenly going to open up for him.

What's the old saying? "There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies and statistics."

Add a fourth: whatever Bonds is saying when his mouth moves.

Spinoffs

Cavs owner Dan Gilbert guaranteed a title before the Heat won one and -- lo and behold -- the Lake Erie Monsters just might deliver on the promise.

View full sizeAPMarty Schottenheimer is again coaching football ... sort of.

Marty Schottenheimer is the new head coach of the Virginia Destroyers. Somehow he's the third head coach of a team that has yet to play a game. The franchise was previously the Florida Tuskers, but you and 2 billion Chinese no doubt already knew that.

Georgia wide receiver A.J. Green, a possible pick for the Browns at No. 6, was suspended four games last season for selling an Independence Bowl jersey for $1,000 to someone who qualifies as an agent. I would be worried about taking a kid like that, only if he then used the money to get an Independence Bowl tattoo. . . . Green is impressive but the Browns would be better served to go defensive line with their top pick and trust the passing-game gurus in Berea to come up with a playmaking receiver later.

Too bad the Browns can't petition the league in the wake of the new kickoff rules to pay some of the salary increase they just gave Josh Cribbs for his work as a kickoff return man.

According to one report, the prosecutor's opening statement at the Barry Bonds trial was delivered in a monotone and "had jurors struggling to keep their heads up." And Spin readers, you thought it only happened to you.

The competition in college basketball is so widespread and the great teams so few and far between that we should be able to agree on the elimination of the most tired, trite phrase in sports: Cinderella. . . . Oh, one more, too: "Underdog Butler."

He said it

"The magic of Rick Pitino is going to shock some people." -- Dick Vitale, predicting Louisville would go to the Final Four.

If shilling for college coaches were hair, Dick Vitale would be Fabio.

You said it

Bud: How can we compare winning the NIT basketball championship to everyday life? -- Tom Hoffner, Broadview Heights

It'd be like finishing ahead of me in an six-pack abs contest.

Bud: Do you think Josh Cribbs will offer to renegotiate his contract again now that his kickoff duties have been reduced by the new rules? -- Justin, Twinsburg

Yes. Right after Barry Bonds admits he found it curious that flaxseed oil increased his head to the size of a parade float.

Bud: Manny Acta says that Justin Germano ". . . lays in the weeds, throws strikes and gets people out. That's what he does best." What do you do best and where do you do it? -- Keith, Fairview Park

As a kid I gave up consecutive home runs on the first two pitches of a playoff game. To identical twin brothers. Hasn't been done since for some reason.

Bud: Shouldn't The PD reverse the NBA standings, combine both conferences and show Cavs at the top with worst record followed by Kings, Wolves, etc. This is the only race that matters in pursuit of the next Kwame Brown or Michael Olowokandi. -- Dan Hecht, Beachwood

Since you put it that way, first-time "You said it" winners receive a T-shirt from the mental_floss collection.

Bud: Please refresh my memory. Is Tressel a Leader or a Legend? -- Moldo

Repeat winners receive a ticket to Gordon Gee at The Improv.

To reach Bud Shaw: bshaw@plaind.com, 216-999-5639

Browns get Clemson's Da'Quan Bowers in Tony Grossi's latest mock draft.

Chris O'Meara / Associated PressThe Browns would be very happy if they ended up with Clemson's Da'Quan Bowers and he put pressure on quarterbacks, as he is doing here to Georgia Tech's Josh Nesbitt. Tony Grossi's latest mock draft has the Clemson defensive end falling to the Browns at No. 6.

TONY GROSSI'S MOCK DRAFT, 5.0

The impact of the quarterbacks on the Browns' No. 6 draft position is being felt.

At the NFL owners meetings this week, talk was that Carolina and Buffalo were jumping on the Cam Newton bandwagon. The latter, likely, would settle for Blaine Gabbert.

Now, that's bad news for Cincinnati, which would take either of the draft's top-rated quarterbacks. But it's good news for a team with no legitimate pass rusher on its roster, such as the Browns.

Our latest mock draft has Clemson defensive end Da'Quan Bowers falling out of the No. 1 spot for the first time. In doing so, we broke our pledge to keep him there until his April 1 workout demonstrates if his right knee is still not right.

The Browns will be in full force at Bowers' workout. Then they will receive a copy of Bowers' medical re-check in Indianapolis on April 8.

If Bowers passes both tests, he probably will not drop to the Browns. But for now, he is our pick for them. That's why we have so many mock drafts.

(Previous projected picks in parentheses.)

1. Carolina -- Cam Newton, quarterback, Auburn (4)

Comment: Why not?

2. Denver -- Marcell Dareus, defensive tackle, Alabama (2)

Comment: John Elway hinted at a quarterback, too.

3. Buffalo -- Blaine Gabbert, quarterback, Missouri (5)

Comment: A Gabbert-Ryan Fitzpatrick tandem would be strong.

4. Cincinnati -- A.J. Green, receiver, Georgia (6)

Comment: There's some feeling they like Julio Jones better.

5. Arizona -- Von Miller, linebacker, Texas A&M (7)

Comment: Cards pick him for the fourth time in five mocks.

6. Browns -- Da'Quan Bowers, defensive end, Clemson (1)

Comment: Is he Courtney Brown or Julius Peppers? Either would help.

7. San Francisco -- Patrick Peterson, cornerback, LSU (8)

Comment: Peterson is a yo-yo in our mocks -- up, down, up.

8. Tennessee -- Nick Fairley, defensive tackle, Auburn (3)

Comment: Hard to dismiss the Auburn connection with new defensive line coach Tracy Rocker.

9. Dallas -- Prince Amukamara, cornerback, Nebraska (9)

Comment: Messing up this one would be a royal pain for Jerry Jones.

10. Washington -- Julio Jones, receiver, Alabama (10)

Comment: Came this close to giving them Christian Ponder.

After five different pitchers have led the team in saves in the last five years, the Indians hope Chris Perez is the answer to the closer question.

View full sizeChuck Crow l The Plain DealerChris Perez is only 25 years old and won't be a free agent until 2015. In 2010, the Tribe closer had a 1.71 ERA, the second best of any American League reliever with at least 60 innings.

GOODYEAR, Ariz. — Have the Indians found their long-term closer in Chris Perez?

This is not to question Perez's ability -- his 95 mph fastball and slicing slider are exactly what a team wants in the guy pitching the ninth inning. Perez had some games last season where he didn't just close the door on the other team, he slammed it shut with sizzling stuff.

Consider that five different pitchers have led the Tribe in saves in each of the last five seasons. That may also be why the bullpen has often been a nightmare for fans in Wahoo red, white and blue.

Even when Bob Wickman saved games in the mid-2000s -- and he converted 88 percent -- those final three outs came with fans gobbling down packs of Tums while closing their eyes and mumbling incoherently. Wickman's last year with the Tribe was 2006 when he had 15 saves before being traded midseason.

In 2007, Joe Borowski saved 45 games with a 5.07 ERA, doing it like a man walking a tightrope while juggling meat cleavers. He had fans longing for Wickman, who seemed to walk only two guys before somehow saving the game.

Borowski's arm went bad in 2008, and that led to a horrible bullpen where the saves leader was Jensen Lewis with 13.

In 2009, the Indians signed Kerry Wood to a two-year, $20 million deal.

It seemed Wood never understood that Progressive Field was not Wrigley Field, as he sort of moped about not being in Chicago while dealing with some minor physical problems. He had 20 saves.

In 2010, Wood was traded in July, Perez took over and saved 23 of 27 save opportunities.

So there you are: Wickman, Borowski, Lewis, Wood and Perez.

Five seasons, five closers.

Perez dominated

Now, for some good news. Perez is 25. He won't be a free agent until 2015. Of all the recent Tribe closers, none had a better year than Perez in 2010.

His 1.71 ERA was the second best of any American League reliever with at least 60 innings. He was 10-of-11 in one-run saves, the most demanding challenge for a closer. He also had five saves where he pitched more than one inning. He was a rarity in this age of specialization where a closer is typically asked to record just three outs.

The more Perez pitched, the better the result. He finished the season converting 18-of-19 saves.

"I always knew I could do this," Perez said. "I've been a closer most of my life."

He is 6-4, 230 pounds with long, wild black hair and fiery eyes. He doesn't just stare down a hitter, he glares at him as if the batter wants to kill his best friend.

"I'm a little wired out there," Perez said. "Sometimes, I want to throw 100. That's not good, because I'll start walking guys. I can get them out at 95."

Perez said in his early days at the University of Miami (Fla.), he started a few games.

"But I'm so keyed up, by the fifth inning, I was exhausted," he said.

Perez can light up the radar gun at 98 mph in nearly every outing. His average fastball is about 95. His slider is more of a 90-mph sizzler.

He became the big, intimidating power reliever the Tribe hoped to have when throwing cash at Wood before the 2009 season. Perez arrived quietly that same summer. The Indians were on their way to 96 losses. Veterans such as Cliff Lee and Victor Martinez were being traded. They also sent Mark DeRosa to St. Louis for Jess Todd and Perez.

In 70 games with the Cardinals (2008-09), Perez had a 4-4 record with a 3.72 ERA and was 7-of-11 in save situations. The Cardinals believed Perez had the physical ability to close, but wondered if he had the temperament to handle the pressure of the job.

So, that deal looks more like a steal for the Tribe, a good move to counter some of the other trades where Tribe fans are still awaiting the payoff for having their stars traded for prospects.

Dealing with failure

Early last season, Perez blew a save and hinted that the catcher should have blocked one of his pitches in the dirt that set up the winning run. It's not what a closer does. He is like a quarterback. No matter what goes wrong -- it's your fault. Just stand up and take the blame.

Perez figured that out, making sure his emotions were under control when speaking to the media on those few occasions when he didn't save a game.

"The job gives you more chances to fail," he said. "You can lose a game in the seventh inning, but when you blow a lead in the ninth -- everyone knows you did it. You feel you let the team down."

Perez has had a tremendous spring (1.23 ERA) and manager Manny Acta has praised his conditioning and determination.

"I think he's in better physical shape than last year," Acta said. "Just as important, his confidence has grown. He has done the [closer's] job. Now, I want him to take another step forward and be one of the leaders in the bullpen in terms of helping the other guys out there."

"I want to do that," Perez said. "I'll do what they ask. Like there were times when they had me pitch more than one inning. I can do that. In some ways, closers have gone soft. They don't always have to just pitch the ninth."

It was Tony La Russa -- when he managed Oakland -- who decided the best way to handle a closer was to have him open the ninth inning with only one job in mind -- get the last three outs and preserve the lead. Bring him in with no runners on base, and ask him to pitch only one inning.

It was supposed to increase the odds of success for a reliever, and it turned Dennis Eckersley into a superstar. Soon, other managers followed that formula.

The Indians have a rule that no one appears in more than three games in three days. They want to limit the multi-inning work for Perez, but Acta said he still will ask Perez to do it on occasion.

"I'm open to it," said Perez. "Really, I just want to pitch. It's so much fun."

To reach Terry Pluto: terrypluto2003@yahoo.com, 216-999-4674

Besides fishing, Generous likes to spend his free time doing puzzles.

View full sizeLynn Ischay l The Plain DealerThe Monsters' Matt Generous and Mathieu Tousignant of the Texas Stars race for the puck during a game in February.

Shoots: Right.

Height/ Weight: 6-3, 208.

Born: May 4, 1984, Cheshire, Conn.

Acquired: Professional tryout with Lake Erie in February.

PD: Least-favorite household chore?

MG: Mowing the lawn.

PD: Hobbies/activities away from ice?

MG: I recently got into puzzles to kill time. In the summer, I like fishing and going to the beach.

PD: Best catch?

MG: Freshwater -- 42-inch muskie; saltwater -- mahi mahi.

PD: What do you need to do to improve your game and get to the next level?

MG: Be more consistent, game in and game out, and be more poised with the puck.

PD: What is one thing you can't do no matter how hard you try?

MG: I'm a poor speller. I couldn't win a spelling bee.

PD: Favorite meal?

MG: Lobster.

PD: Favorite junk food?

MG: Girl Scout cookies.

PD: Preferred cookie from the Girl Scout brand?

MG: Toss-up between Tagalongs and Samoas.

PD: Favorite athlete growing up?

MG: Brian Leetch.

PD: Best active hockey player on the planet?

MG: Nicklas Lidstrom.

PD: Favorite vacation spot?

MG: Bermuda.

PD: Best hockey city?

MG: Boston.

PD: Which team will win Stanley Cup?

MG: Vancouver Canucks.

PD: Which team will win NBA title?

MG: Boston Celtics.

PD: Describe Monsters coach David Quinn in 10 words or fewer.

MG: A good motivator who pays attention to details.

PD: Favorite movie?

MG: "Rudy."

PD: If not a hockey player, what would you be?

MG: Investment banker.

PD: Smartest person you've ever met?

MG: Grandma Hoebich.

-- Dennis Manoloff

Monsters coach David Quinn says the team has been so good defensively because it is not "puck watching."

View full sizeJoshua Gunter l The Plain DealerLake Erie Monsters goalie John Grahame blocks a shot on goal by Rochester's Michal Repik during a game in January.

CLEVELAND, Ohio — The Monsters' goaltending duo of John Grahame and Jason Bacashihua has been superb this season. Grahame is 17-10-2 with a 2.28 goals-against average and a .914 save percentage; Bacashihua, 19-15-3 with a 2.41 and a .913.

Quality goaltending has helped the Monsters not only contend for a Calder Cup playoff berth, but also lead. They moved into sole possession of first place in the Western Conference North Division after a 2-1 home victory over Rochester on Tuesday.

As good as the goalies have been, Grahame and Bacashihua are the first to acknowledge ample support in front of them. Monsters skaters -- forwards, as well as defensemen -- have done an excellent job of limiting traffic and legitimate scoring chances.

Lake Erie ranks among AHL leaders in fewest goals (2.61 per game) and shots allowed (27.76).

"Goaltending has been very important, but when you give up as few shots as we do, it's a testament to team defense," Monsters coach David Quinn said. "Across the board, the guys have bought in."

Quinn said the Monsters have been so good defensively because they are not "puck watching."

"Getting mesmerized by the puck is a problem at every level of hockey," he said. "One guy is defending the guy with the puck, and his teammates have a tendency to stare him down. You can't do that. Of course you need to know where the puck is, but the priority needs to be: 'Where is my man, and am I on the defensive side of him?'

"Our guys have been very conscious of body position before they find where the puck is."

Monsters skaters have been relentless in the defensive end, using speed, physicality and timing to disrupt the opponent's rhythm. The Monsters, particularly the forwards, play bigger than they are.

"We've protected the net front, then attacked," Quinn said. "We've done a very good job with our sticks, deflecting a lot of pucks. We cause people to second-guess what they want to do because we have our sticks down, taking away passing and shooting lanes. All these things add up."

One of Lake Erie's best defensive performances came Tuesday. The Monsters held the Americans to single-digit shots in each period (five, eight, eight) despite playing a fourth game in five nights.

Upcoming: The Monsters (38-25-3-5) carry a franchise-best six-game winning streak into tonight's game at Rochester, N.Y. They will be in Toronto on Saturday.

A victory at Rochester would be their sixth straight on the road, setting a franchise record.

Power surge: The Monsters have notched a power play goal in four consecutive games, during which they are 6-for-21.

"We're attacking the seams more and taking more shots on the p.p.," Quinn said. "We're more alert. Our pace is better."

Next level: The Avalanche snapped a 10-game losing streak Saturday with a 3-2 victory in Edmonton. It defeated Columbus, 5-4, in a shootout Tuesday; former Monster Mark Olver had two assists.

Finally: Three of Monsters defenseman Travis Gawryletz's four goals have been game-winners.

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: dmanoloff@plaind.com, 216-999-4664

Williams scored 32 points and grabbed 13 rebounds. Wildcats outscored Duke, 55-33, in the second half.

Associated PressArizona's bench celebrates a second-half run that boosted the Wildcats to a 93-77 win over defending national champion Duke.

There will be a new national champion in college basketball.

Arizona used a 19-2 run to turn a 53-47 deficit into a 66-55 lead with 12 minutes to go, and went on to rout defending champion Duke, 93-77, in a West Regional semifinal in Anaheim, Cal.

The Wildcats, led by star forward Derrick Williams, shot 54 percent from the field to reach the final eight for the first time since 2005. Williams scored 32 points and grabbed 13 rebounds.

Arizona will play Connecticut for the regional title and a Final Four berth on Sunday.

Top-seeded Duke (32-5) was sent packing from a regional semifinal for the second time in three years. Coach Mike Krzyzewski, with 900 wins, will have to wait until next season to pass Bob Knight's 902 wins and become the winningest men's coach in Division I history.

Williams scored 25 of his points in the first half before his teammates provided big help in the final 20 minutes. Lamont Jones scored 16 points for Arizona and Solomon Hill 13.

Duke's superb freshman point guard, Kyrie Irving, scored 28 points and Kyle Singler netted 18. 

Kentucky has a big body in 6-10, 275-pound senior Josh Harrellson, one of the few players to take the court this season who can match the 6-9, 270-pound Sullinger in both height and width.

View full sizeJoshua Gunter l The Plain DealerJared Sullinger works on a passing drill during practice Thursday in Newark, N.J.

"It happens," Sullinger said.

Kentucky has a big body in 6-10, 275-pound senior Josh Harrellson, one of the few players to take the court this season who can match the 6-9, 270-pound Sullinger in both height and width.

"Josh is a banger himself," Kentucky freshman Terrence Jones said. "When it comes to rebounds, he's relentless. I know Jared is a great player, so I don't know if we'll double him or not, but I know Josh is great, too."

If the Wildcats give Harrellson a shot to guard Sullinger one-on-one, that may be exactly what the freshman wants.

Asked what would happen if Sullinger is single-teamed, OSU senior big man Dallas Lauderdale said: "He's going to score. He's going to score or get fouled."

Reminded of the IUPUI experiment, Lauderdale said, "That's what's gonna happen."

Harrellson has played some of his best basketball in the NCAA Tournament, averaging 15 points and nine rebounds in two games.

"Going against Jared Sullinger will be a tough task," Harrellson said. "He's one of the best big men in the country, if not the best big man. Hopefully, we can contain him as a team."

Sullinger should hope Kentucky tries it with one big guy. No matter the size, every big man would take one defender over two. It has been a while since Sullinger had the chance.

-- Doug Lesmerises

David Huff pitches five scoreless innings for the victory. Jeanmar Gomez goes four innings for the save. Chad Huffman hits three-run homer.

Chris Carlson / Associated PressDavid Huff goes five scoreless innings against the Giants on Thursday night.

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Left-hander David Huff threw five scoreless innings against the world champion San Francisco Giants on Thursday night as the Indians cruised to a 7-1 victory at Scottsdale Stadium for their sixth straight Cactus League victory.

Huff, in his best start of the spring, struck out two, walked one and allowed three hits. Manager Manny Acta said he would announce the winner of the competition for the fifth starter's job Friday. Huff is in that competition, but the job is expected to go to Josh Tomlin.

Jeanmar Gomez, the third arm in the competition, followed Hough. Gomez allowed one run over the last four innings to earn a save. His only run he allowed came on a seventh-inning homer by the Miguel Tejada.    

The Indians scored three times in the third for a 3-0 lead against lefty Barry Zito. Jack Hannahan doubled and moved to third on Adam Everett's single. He scored on a ground ball by Carlos Santana as Everett went to second on an error. Chad Huffman doubled home Everett. Santana scored on Austin Kearns ground out.

Luke Carlin made it 4-0 with a two out homer in the sixth. Huffman added a three-run homer in the seventh.

Huff allowed three hit, one walk and two strikeouts in five innings.

The Giants made it 4-1 as  Tejada hit his first homer of the spring off with one out in the seventh.

Huffman countered with a three-run homer off Ramon Ramirez in the eighth for a 7-1 lead. It was Huffman's third homer of the spring.

The Indians reached Zito for four runs, two earned, on seven hits in six innings.

Butler, last season's national runnerup and a Horizon League member with Cleveland State, built 20-point lead before a frantic Badgers' rally fell short.

Associated PressButler's Matt Howard (right) is fouled by Wisconsin's Mike Bruesewitz (31) as he goes up for a shot.

NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana -- Matt Howard had 20 points and 12 rebounds, and Butler sent home yet another higher seed in the NCAA tournament with a 61-54 victory over Wisconsin on Thursday night.

Shelvin Mack scored 13 points and Shawn Vanzant had 10 for the eighth-seeded Bulldogs (26-9), who led by 20 points in the second half before withstanding a late rally by the fourth-seeded Badgers.

Jordan Taylor scored 22 for Wisconsin (25-9), which shot 30.4 percent (17 of 56). Jon Leuer, normally one of the Badgers' top offensive forces with 18.7 points per game coming in, was 1 of 12 shooting and finished with three points.

The victory sends Butler into the Southeast regional final, where the Bulldogs meet Florida (29-7) for a trip to the Final Four.

David Huff and Jeanmar Gomez combined to beat Giants on six hits and one run. Huff gets the victory, Gomez earns the save.

Clubhouse confidential: The Indians beat the Giants, 7-1, Thursday night. It was their sixth straight Cactus League victory.

Attendance: 10,792.

Record: Indians 13-11-2, Giants 18-10.

Starting rotation: David Huff went five scoreless innings against the world champion Giants, but it probably wasn't enough to win the fifth spot in the rotation for the left-hander. Look for Josh Tomlin to claim that job on Friday. Jeanmar Gomez, the third arm in the competition, followed Hough with four good innings. He gave up a solo homer to Miguel Tejada, but struck out six and earned the save.

Bullpen: The night belonged to starters Huff and Gomez. The relievers on hand just stayed in the bullpen.

Power parade: Luke Carlin homered in the sixth and Chad Huffman hit a three-run homer in the seventh. It was Carlin's first homer of the spring and Huffman's third. Carlin and Huffman each had two hits. Huffman finished with four RBI.

Hot at the hot corner: Jack Hannahan, who should be the Indians opening day third, baseman, had three more hits to raise his average to .386.

He's back: Adam Everett played in his second straight game since spraining his left thumb Saturday against the Angels and missing Monday and Tuesday games. Everett, 1-for-4, played shortstop and second. He's hitting .324.

Double your pleasure: Travis Buck and Hannahan each collected their fifth double of the spring. Huffman doubled for the third time this spring. 

No. 1 Ohio State vs. No. 4 Kentucky; No. 2 North Carolina vs. No. 11 Marquette; No. 1 Kansas vs. No. 12 Richmond; No. 10 Florida State vs. No. 11 VCU

View full sizeAPRichmond head coach Chris Mooney.

No. 1 Ohio State vs. No. 4 Kentucky

Tipoff: 9:45 p.m., Prudential Center, Newark, N.J.

TV: WOIO Channel 19.

Notable: Ohio State (34-2) absolutely eviscerated a solid George Mason team to reach the Sweet 16. The Buckeyes have perhaps the nation's best low-post presence in freshman C Jared Sullinger, a deadeye outside shooter in senior G Jon Diebler (he has hit 50 percent of his 220 3-point attempts), two excellent swingmen in William Buford and David Lighty and a big-time shot-blocker in Dallas Lauderdale. Freshman Aaron Craft has a better than 2-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio, too. Ohio State doesn't have the deepest bench, but it's deeper than Kentucky's, which really doesn't want to play more than six guys. UK (27-8) has to get big games from big men Terrence Jones and, especially, Josh Harrellson. The Wildcats' 3-point shooting has been solid all season, and UK needs Brandon Knight, Darius Miller and Doron Lamb to get hot from beyond the arc.

No. 2 North Carolina vs. No. 11 Marquette

Tipoff: 7:15 p.m., Prudential Center, Newark, N.J.

TV: WOIO Channel 19.

Notable: Marquette (22-14) has controlled the tempo in its two NCAA wins, and that will be vital against North Carolina (28-7). The Heels want to run and get the point total into at least the high 70s. But Marquette doesn't have the firepower to hang with UNC, though the Heels' sometimes-lax approach on defense should help the Golden Eagles. Marquette needs production from its "Big Three" of Jimmy Butler, Darius Johnson-Odom and Jae Crowder. Butler, in particular, could have success because of his well-rounded offensive game. Marquette outrebounded a bigger Syracuse team in its last game, and the Golden Eagles have to stay close in that regard against the Heels. Look for Marquette coach Buzz Williams to use three defenders on UNC PG Kendall Marshall in an effort to wear him down. If Marshall can play "unencumbered," UNC is going to roll.

Southwest Regional

No. 1 Kansas vs. No. 12 Richmond

Tipoff: 7:27 p.m., Alamodome, San Antonio.

TV: TBS.

Notable: Richmond's lack of bulk is going to hurt against a talented and physical Kansas frontcourt. Spiders F Justin Harper was the Atlantic 10 Player of the Year, but while he averages 6.9 rebounds per game, he's more effective outside the paint on offense. Senior G Kevin Anderson is a good offensive player for the Spiders (29-7), and he needs to be on target from beyond the arc if Richmond is going to hang with the Jayhawks (34-2). He hits 42.3 percent from 3-point range and should be able to get off his shot against KU's guards. Harper, F Dan Geriot and G Darien Brothers also are 3-point threats, and each should get some open looks in the Spiders' Princeton-style offense. It's on the other end of the court, though, where the Spiders are going to have issues. The Morris twins and Thomas Robinson should own the paint.

No. 10 Florida State vs. No. 11 VCU

Tipoff: 9:57 p.m., Alamodome, San Antonio.

TV: TBS.

Notable: Virginia Commonwealth (26-11) is the first team in history to have won three games to get to the Sweet 16, as the Rams pulled away late to down USC in one of the play-in games. VCU has shut down a frontcourt-oriented team (USC), a backcourt-oriented team (Georgetown) and a solid all-around offensive team (Purdue) in getting here. But FSU (23-10) is more than VCU's match defensively, and the Seminoles' size is going to cause problems for the Rams. Still, VCU's defensive pressure is going to bother FSU, which averages 15.9 turnovers per game. Forcing turnovers and scoring in transition are musts for VCU because the Rams are going to have trouble with FSU's size and physical nature when running their halfcourt offense. VCU relies heavily on the 3-pointer and has three players who are dangerous from beyond the arc. FSU is mediocre from beyond the arc, but the Seminoles should have success in the low post against VCU.

-- Rivals.com

Clemson defensive end Da'Quan Bowers will visit the Browns in April 11 or 12, but could be out of their reach by then if his knee checks out.

View full sizeMary Ann Chastain l Associated PressClemson's DaQuan Bowers (93) is expected to visit the Browns next month.

CLEVELAND, Ohio — Clemson defensive end Da'Quan Bowers, the premier pass-rusher in the draft, will visit the Browns on April 11 or 12, one of his eight pre-draft visits, an NFL source told The Plain Dealer.

But by then, Bowers could be such a hot commodity that the Browns won't be able to touch him with the No. 6 overall pick.

Joe Flanagan, Bowers' agent, released a statement Thursday dispelling false rumors about Bowers' surgically repaired knee that have circulated since the NFL Scouting Combine last month.

Flanagan promised that teams attending Bowers' pro day on April 1 will see for themselves he's the best defensive player in the draft and that he's fully recovered from surgery in January to repair a torn meniscus. He will also have the knee re-checked April 8 in Indianapolis.

Browns General Manager Tom Heckert told The Plain Dealer this week at the NFL owners meetings that he will attend the April 1 workout. The Browns then will spend more one-on-one time with Bowers in Cleveland.

If Flanagan is right about the knee, Bowers, who led the nation with 15.5 sacks last season and has been compared to Julius Peppers, could go as high as No. 1 to the Panthers.

Flanagan said in his statement: "Da'Quan's knee has progressed ahead of schedule, in every regard, since the day he walked out of his procedure. There have been no 'setbacks' or 'new concerns,' and Da'Quan is very much looking forward to his workout on April 1."

Flanagan said Bowers postponed his pro day from March 4 to April 1 upon advice from the top teams in the draft to give him more time to train and immediately notified all NFL teams.

"He'll participate in all combine and defensive line tests and drills," Flanagan said.

Bowers will then have the knee re-checked in Indianapolis and continue on the visit circuit. Visiting players can be interviewed and examined in host cities, but not work out.

"We believe this series of events will show that there exists no short- or long-term concern about his knee and also confirm that Da'Quan is the best defensive player in this draft, with as much upside as any prospect in a very long time," Flanagan said.

Bowers is one of about eight players the Browns are considering with the No. 6 pick.

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

Davis already has visions of a team next season with him, Antawn Jamison and Anderson Varejao anchoring a youthful core.

View full sizeAssociated PressBaron Davis is being asked to mentor and lead a team of inexperienced teammates.

"Can you imagine what this team will be like when we're healthy?" 

It won't happen this season, as Jamison's fractured left pinky will keep him out the Cavaliers' remaining 12 games. But Davis is probable to start his first game for Cleveland today against the Detroit Pistons, finally healthy (enough) from back and knee injuries and returned from a week away from the team to mourn the death of his grandmother. 

Davis already has visions of a team next season with him, Jamison and center Anderson Varejao (out with an ankle injury) anchoring a youthful core. 

And he's already relishing the leadership role that coach Byron Scott has thrust upon the 31-year-old. More so than any other stop Davis has had in 12 years in the NBA, more than his time with the Los Angeles Clippers or the Golden State Warriors or New Orleans or Charlotte, Davis is being asked to mentor and lead a team of inexperienced teammates. 

And he loves it. 

"I'm really embracing that here," Davis said Thursday. "Coach Scott has given me the opportunity to do that. He's challenging me to be more outspoken with the guys and just use my veteran leadership and the things I've been through to help them jump ahead of the curve." 

In Thursday's practice, it meant coaching one squad of teammates to a buzzer-beating 3-pointer that led to a tied scrimmage. 

In Wednesday's overtime loss to New Jersey, it meant pacing the sidelines and passionately instructing teammates during timeouts. 

Today, Davis anticipates he will have a chance to show Cavaliers and fans the difference veteran leadership can mean on the court. Not to mention what his career 16.5 points and 7.3 assists per game bring. 

"It'll just be good to get out there and be with my teammates and really start to lay some foundation and groundwork for these last couple of games," Davis said. "To really start to jell and show what we can do." 

Davis suggested he might play as little as 10-15 minutes against Detroit, "anything to just kind of help be another spark or some extra energy or offensive power or provide some leadership," though Scott, of course, is hopeful for as many minutes as Davis' balky left knee and back will provide. The point guard's knee has bothered him since the start of the season with the Clippers, and compensating for that injury led to back spasms last week, he said. 

The injuries, however, have allowed him to watch the Cavaliers, examine the skill set he will be working with next season. 

"Myself, Antawn and 'Wild Thing' -- once we get all on the court and get in shape, it brings a whole other element to the team," Davis said. "Now guys can see what we're doing out there and learn from watching. Antawn is a phenomenal scorer, Varejao is a great team player and complementary player to bring that chemistry together. We're playing right now, we're playing hard and we're in ballgames, and we don't even have our full staff of players." 

As for what Davis, himself, will bring, the point guard has a multilayered answer. 

"Fun. Excitement. But also unselfish play," Davis said. "Just energy and the passion, and a consistent effort. I think that our team could use that. They could use some leadership as well as a little bit more drive and opportunity to have that confidence, whether up 20 or down 20, to know you're never out of the ballgame and you can always win. That's one of the intangibles I bring." 

Envisioning a future with Davis, Jamison and Varejao all on the court has been something Scott has tried to avoid thinking of in this 13-57 season, however. 

"I try not to as much as possible because I get a little upset," Scott joked. 

WWHW (What Will Haden Wear?): On Monday, Browns defensive back Joe Haden sat in his courtside seat at The Q clad in a white Cavaliers uniform.

On Wednesday, the 21-year-old Haden wore not only the entire maroon Varejao uniform, but also a curly-haired Varejao wig. 

It wasn't an indication that he's going stir-crazy with the NFL lockout, Haden contended. 

"No, I didn't lose no bet," Haden said. "I just wanted to do something different. . . . I'm just a Cavs fan and an Indians fan. I'm really into sports. I figure if I'm in Cleveland, I better support them." 

Besides, Haden jokingly has another plan. 

"I was thinking about if there's a lockout, seeing if I could get subbed in," he joked Wednesday. 

So what should Cavaliers fans expect Haden to wear today against Detroit? When a Davis jersey and beard was suggested, he smiled. 

"That's a good idea," Haden said.  

Dribbles: Friday is the Cavaliers' final game for their food drive benefiting Harvest For Hunger. Fans can bring nonperishable food items to the game to donate. Fans who do so will receive a "Free sub card from Jimmy John's.

Ohio State freshman Jared Sullinger has been shaped by his basketball family, and by a mother who helped him take a break from the game.

View full sizeJoshua Gunter l The Plain DealerOhio State's Jared Sullinger, center, is averaging 17.1 points and 10 rebounds per game.

NEWARK, N.J. — Tonight, as has been the case so many times before, Barbara Sullinger's mind will be in two places at once, her body in the stands at Value City Arena for her husband's state high school semifinal, her BlackBerry keeping her connected to her son Jared's NCAA Tournament game in New Jersey.

If the stakes weren't so high for the Sullinger men, she would be the most relaxed observer of either game.

"She's the least competitive person in the world," Columbus Northland coach Satch Sullinger said of his wife. "If her sons weren't playing and I wasn't coaching, she'd want to know why the game can't end in a tie. Why does someone have to lose?"

The First Lady of Ohio Basketball, Barbara Sullinger has watched her oldest son, J.J., play at both Arkansas and Ohio State, her middle son, Julian, play at Ohio University and now her baby, Jared, earn Freshman of the Year honors with the Buckeyes. All the while, her husband has coached the game, the past 11 years at Northland High School, a post from which he will retire at the end of this season.

Barbara has been the connection to the outside world, knowing the game consumes the men in her life, and sometimes they need a break.

View full sizeGettyJared Sullinger had his mother, Barbara, and his father, Satch, by his side in Atlanta when he was awarded the Naismith Award for boys basketball Player of the Year last March.

"My mom kept my dad in line," Jared Sullinger said. "My dad would say something about basketball, and when no one was looking, my mom would hit him under the table and be like, 'Not today. They got enough from you in practice.' "

This has been a season when some perspective has come in handy. Jared Sullinger was as prepared as any player, the Sullingers as prepared as any family, could be for the instant fame that comes to elite college basketball freshmen. Jared had watched two brothers adjust, but neither was an All-American one year out of high school.

"It's been kind of weird," Jared Sullinger said. "It kind of changed. Normally I can walk down the street and get a burger. Now I can, but I stop and sign autographs. It kind of changed, but that comes along with the territory."

J.J. is working a radio broadcast for the state semifinals tonight, while Julian is staying near home, awaiting the birth of his first child. The Northland game against Garfield Heights is scheduled for an 8:30 p.m. tip, with the top-seeded Buckeyes expected to start their Sweet 16 showdown with fourth-seeded Kentucky around 9:45 p.m. at Newark's Prudential Center. Standing in for Barbara, a Brooklyn native, in New Jersey will be her sister, brother-in-law and two nephews.

But she has seen enough to know she doesn't have to worry about her youngest son. Her peace came after her trip for the Buckeyes' second game of the season at Florida.

"I have to tell you I was nervous when the season first started, because a lot of freshmen arrive on the scene with a whole lot of fanfare, and they don't quite live up to the hype," Barbara said. "And having watched James Jr. and Julian, I knew college basketball was different from high school basketball.

"So when I went to Florida, I was ready, just in case. But Jared outdid himself. So from then on, I wasn't worried anymore."

He scored 26 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in that 93-75 win for the Buckeyes in the first road game of his college career. He enters tonight's game leading the Buckeyes in both categories, averaging 17.1 points and 10 rebounds per game. Satch said he saw that on the horizon 19 years ago, when he and Barbara went to the hospital for the birth of either their third son or first daughter. It was son No. 3, and he unballed his fists to reveal hands like small baseball gloves. Barbara said a friend stopped by to visit and said, "Those are the biggest baby feet I've ever seen."

A basketball player, maybe. But a Sullinger son first.

"It was always important to me that my boys felt good about who they are, just as they are," Barbara said. "I never said that Jared, just because he wound up being 6-9, had to be a basketball player. There are other things he could have done, and I was the parent that always made sure they weren't doing it just for their dad.

"But it was kind of weird. I bought them all kinds of toys -- blocks and trucks and crayons -- and they didn't want anything to do with anything unless it was round and bounced."

Dad gave them that. Mom gave them a break. And both parents admit the opposites that attracted them to each other made them a better parenting team.

Satch said one of his most poignant memories as a child was a spring day when he was 7, and his half-brother and half-sister climbed into bed between their parents, Satch's mother and stepfather. Satch Sullinger said he knew that he would never experience that feeling, of sharing the love of his two natural parents at the same time. So he vowed to give that to his children someday. And he found a partner 35 years ago to make it happen.

"Now we've got a grandson," Satch said with a smile, "and he's going to be pretty good. Barbara says, 'Man, I'm going to die in the gym.' I said, 'That's not a bad place to die.' "

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

Last year, 34 pairs of peregrine falcons successfully fledged 67 young, according to the Division of Wildlife.

Scott Shaw, Plain Dealer fileJessica Batzel's dog, Kasey, can't seem to take his eyes off the action during last year's Lake Erie Monsters' Pucks & Paws event.

Activism: Mercy for Animals is hosting an hour-long animal advocacy training session Saturday at the Lakewood Public Library, 15425 Detroit Ave. "How to be a more effective advocate" begins at 11 a.m. "Meet like-minded people and learn about the many effective ways you can help animals," campaign coordinator Corey Roscoe said. Details: CoreyR@mercyforanimals.org, 614-377-0232.

Dog show: The German Shepherd Dog Club of Northern Ohio hosts a show at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Medina Kennel Club Training Facility on Ohio 3, 6162 Wooster Pike. Admission is free. Entrants pay $5 to $12. Details: gsdcno.org, 440-338-1744 or 216-319-1272.

Pucks & Paws: Dogs are invited to the Third Annual Lake Erie Monsters Pucks & Paws event April 1 for the Monsters-Hamilton game at 7:30 p.m. at The Q. Last year, more than 500 dogs attended. Tickets start at $16 for people. Dogs get in for $5, which will be donated to the Cleveland Animal Protective League. The first 250 dogs will receive a free Monsters toy. Tickets; 216-420-0000, LakeErieMonsters.com, The Q box office, or Discount Drug Marts.

Low-cost sterilization: Summit County Animal Control and Citizens for Humane Animal Practices team up to neuter cats April 2 at the NEFCO Building, 180 E. South St. in Akron. Neuter a female for $50, a male for $40. Pre-register by calling 330-724-6181.

Berea pets: The Berea Animal Rescue Fund needs volunteer foster homes, cat monitors for adoption events at the Strongsville or Westgate Petco stores, cat tamers and fundraisers to build a new shelter. Details; bereaanimalrescue.com, 440-234-2034. Learn more from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. April 14 at the Berea Library, 7 Berea Commons.

Wildlife officers: The Division of Wildlife is seeking applicants through April 15 for its next wildlife officer training school. Officers enforce wildlife regulations, investigate water polluters, patrol state property, make arrests and teach the public about wildlife. Details: wildohiocareers.com.

Send animal news to djmiller@plaind.com; fax 216-999-6374; 216-999-4852. Get more animal news at blog.cleveland.com/metro/animals and blog.cleveland.com/missing-pets.