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P.M. Cleveland Browns links: Hall of Famer Joe DeLamielleure will climb Mount Kilimanjaro to aid wounded military veterans

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The former Brown wants to help raise money for the Wounded Warrior Project. More Browns-related links.

joe-delamielleure-mike-pruitt.jpgJoe DeLamielleure blocks for Mike Pruitt during the Browns' 1982 training camp.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Joe DeLamielleure is in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, but the former guard's most enduring impact will be as a friend of wounded heroes of the United States Armed Forces.

DeLamielleure played five (1980-84) of his 13 seasons with the Cleveland Browns.

Matt Florjancic writes for clevelandbrowns.com about what DeLamielleure plans to do for the Wounded Warrior Project:

DeLamielleure has a new challenge in front of him, climbing Mount Kilimanjaro to help raise money for the Wounded Warrior Project. Founded in 2002, the Wounded Warrior Project raises public awareness on the needs of injured soldiers, assists wounded service men and women aid one another and provides programs to meet the needs of these veterans.

“Ken Huff, who played with the Colts and the Redskins, knew that I had bicycled to Mexico the year before, felt I was in shape and called,” DeLamielleure said via telephone from his home in North Carolina. “He’s already done it twice, but not with Wounded Warriors. He called me up and said, ‘Hey, do you want to do this,’ and I said, ‘Yeah, I’ll do it. In a heartbeat, I’ll do it.’”

Florjancic writes, quoting DeLamielleure, about how DeLamielleure was inspired by meeting a wounded U.S. Army sergeant, and about how he feels obligated to those who serve in the U.S. military.  

More details on the planned climb up Mount Kilimanjaro are on bootsandcleatsonthesummit.com.

Plain Dealer and cleveland.com Browns coverage includes Mary Kay Cabot's report on Browns' owner Randy Lerner's plans to spend more time in Cleveland.

Post patterns

A youngster who became close to some Browns players has died of cancer. By Jim Carney of the Akron Beacon Journal.

A new mock draft on Sports Illustrated's SI.com.

Browns running back Peyton Hillis is 1-0 in the competition to be on the cover of Madden NFL 12. By Matt Florjancic for clevelandbrowns.com.

Scout.com ranks in order the players available in the draft, overall and by position.

A story about a former Browns star defensive lineman, Michael Dean Perry, by Matt Florjancic for clevelandbrowns.com.

Jeff Schudel of the News-Herald and Lorain Morning Journal, citing a report on the National Football Post, writes that the Browns held a workout for Nevada quarterback Colin Kaepernick

There seems to be a general consensus on who the top two wide receivers are in the draft. Wes Bunting writes for the National Football Post about who might be the third best wideout.

 

 


Cleveland Cavaliers upset LeBron James and Miami Heat: National reaction links

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The consensus is that the Cavaliers, their fans and Miami all got what they deserved in the Cavs' 102-90 win.

mike-bibby-jj-hickson.jpgMiami's Mike Bibby (0) looks on as Cleveland's J.J. Hickson (21) celebrates during the final moments of the Cavaliers' 102-90 win over the Heat.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Cleveland Cavaliers, besieged by injuries, short on proven NBA talent and still reeling from last summer's desertion by a two-time MVP, weren't expected to provide much resistance against the narcissist-led Miami Heat on Tuesday night.

What's the cliche? That's why they play the games?

The Cavs played their best game of the season, twice holding off Miami rallies with gritty and sometimes spectacular play in a 102-90 win before a sellout crowd at Quicken Loans Arena.

LeBron James and Miami now have just a .500 record in Cleveland since James' controversial and clumsy departure from the Cavaliers as a free agent last July.

Most of the national reaction has been similar: that the Cavs, and even more, their fans, deserved some joy, and that James and the Heat deserved some embarrassment.

Matt Moore of CBSSports.com writes about the Cavs cooling the Heat:

The worst team in the NBA at the moment, record-wise, the Cleveland Cavaliers, have knocked off the Boston Celtics, the Los Angeles Lakers, the New York Knicks, and now the Miami Heat. The Cavs have a long way to go to rebuild and find themselves back in a place of contention. But until then, Tuesday night will stand as the high point of the season, when the fans got to rally behind a total team effort, against the individual-centric Heat offense and deliver a blow for their pride, for their city, and for the hurt they suffered after "the Decision." Baron Davis wasn't in Cleveland for that, but he was a hero. Ramon Sessions wasn't there, but he was a hero. 

The Cavs still lost twice to the Heat this season, once in Cleveland. The Cavs are still the worst team, record-wise, in the NBA. The Heat are still headed to the playoffs and the Cavs to the lottery, James to the second-round, most likely, and the Cavs to vacation in May. But for a night, the Cavs proved that they are professionals, and on any given night, they can compete with the best. That's what makes sports great. 

Enjoy the win, Cleveland. You earned it.

Anthony Parker, Baron Davis, Ryan Hollins, J.J. Hickson and the Cavs might have provided a blueprint on how to defeat Miami in the playoffs. By Kurt Helin for ProBasketballTalk.

On CBSSports.com, video and commentary about LeBron James dodging the Star Spangled Banner and pre-game introductions.

The Heat got what it deserved in Cleveland, by Bill Reiter for FoxSportsFlorida.com.

The Heat tries to be too cool, by Kelly Dwyer of Yahoo! Sports.

Commentary and video from Yahoo! Sports on LeBron James missing the national anthem and player introductions.

Deserving Cavs fans, strong Cavs effort and bad Heat, by Brian Windhorst; Chris Bosh's struggles against the Cavs, by Tom Haberstroh. Both on ESPN.com's Daily Dime.

 

 

 

 

 

Cleveland Indians make 25-man roster official with flurry of paper moves

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Joe Smith, Jason Donald, Trevor Crowe, Jared Goedert and Grady Sizemore will open the season on the disabled list.

Cleveland Indians spring training, Feb. 15, 2011Grady Sizemore is one five Indians to open the season on the disabled list.



 

 

 

 

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The Indians made their 25-man roster official after Wednesday's exhibition game against Columbus was called because of snow at Huntington Park.

The Indians placed Jason Donald (left hand), Joe Smith (abdominal strain) and Grady Sizemore (left knee) on the 15-day disabled list. Donald and Smith's move to the DL was retroactive to March 22. The move with Sizemore was retroactive to Tuesday.

To clear roster spots, Trevor Crowe (right shoulder) was placed on the 60-day disabled list. Then the Indians recalled infielder Jared Goedert (right oblique) to the big leagues and placed him on the 60-day disabled list. Goedert will receive big-league pay and service time.

Those two moves along with the trade of Jayson Nix to Toronto and the outright of Jensen Lewis created the four spots on the 40-man roster that the Indians needed to add Justin Germano, Adam Everett, Jack Hannahan and Travis Buck. Those four players made the Indians as spring training invitees. 

In other moves, Jordan Brown, Nick Johnson and Chad Huffman were re-assigned to the Columbus roster.

The roster has to be set by 11 a.m. Thursday.

LeBron James isn't cut out to be the bad guy - Cavaliers Comment of the Day

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"It just shows how much the boos still hurt. He tries to play the bad guy, and the media may want to make it seem like he has embraced the black hat, but it's just not him." - eldaveablo

lebron-shocked-red.jpgView full sizeLeBron James and the Miami Heat lost in Cleveland on Tuesday night.

In response to the story LeBron James on missing pre-game introduction: 'I was using the restroom', cleveland.com reader eldaveablo doesn't think LeBron can handle playing the bad guy. This reader writes,

"It just shows how much the boos still hurt. He tries to play the bad guy, and the media may want to make it seem like he has embraced the black hat, but it's just not him."

To respond to eldaveablo's comment, go here.

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

Good to see some fire from the Tribe - Indians Comment of the Day

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"Chris Perez is the man. A little fire from the young guys is not a bad thing. Here's hoping the Tribe stays healthy and makes a run at .500." - thechali2na

Tribe sweeps Tigers with double wins WednesdayView full sizeChris Perez provides some attitude for the Indians, along with closing games.

In response to the story Carlos Santana cool with reliever Chris Perez after spring dispute: Indians Insider, cleveland.com reader thechali2na loves seeing a little fire from the Tribe's players. This reader writes,

"Chris Perez is the man. A little fire from the young guys is not a bad thing. Here's hoping the Tribe stays healthy and makes a run at .500."

To respond to thechali2na's comment, go here.

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

Golf season primer: Get ready for season with Plain Dealer online features

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Itching to return to the golf course? While you wait for the weather to warm up check out The Plain Dealer's online local golf features, including reader course reviews.

manakikili.jpgThe Cleveland Metroparks' Manakiki Golf Course.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Itching to get back on the golf course? While you wait for the weather to warm up -- heck, even surpass 50 degrees -- check out The Plain Dealer's Northeast Ohio public golf course rating guide.

Rate your favorite -- and not so favorite -- area courses and take a look at the reviews written by other golfers while you get ready to return to the links.

  • Read reviews from others and rate the courses yourself.
  • The Plain Dealer's Golf Course Guide. Many of the listings have been updated for 2011, and the others are in the process of being refreshed. And be sure to pick up a copy of the Golf Course Guide in a special section appearing inside the May 15 Plain Dealer.
  • The weekly Shotgun Start local golf page will return on Wednesdays beginning May 4. Get your local golf questions answered in reporter Tim Rogers' Hey, T.R.! column, which will return May 4.
  • Need help with your game? Email a question for columnist Bud Shaw's Ask the Pro instruction video, which features a rotating panel of local golf professionals and also will return May 4. However, we're looking for your questions now. And while you wait for the weather to warm up, gear up for the season by watching the archived videos from 2010.
  • A few aces have already been reported for 2011. Check out holes-in-one by area golfers dating back to 2010 and where the shots were made with our Super Shooters listing.

 


Ohio State coach Jim Tressel reflects on 'difficult' times as Buckeyes prepare to open spring football practice

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OSU coach Jim Tressel addressed his future while previewing the start of spring practice on Thursday. Watch video

COLUMBUS, Ohio - Ohio State coach Jim Tressel will open spring football practice with his team on Thursday just weeks after being hit with sanctions over NCAA violations, planning to get the Buckeyes ready for a season that will begin without him on the sidelines on gameday.


"It's obviously been a difficult past couple months," Tressel said, beginning his statement today at what is typically his preview of spring practice.


"I think the largest regrets I've had in my life have been when I've disappointed people and let people down, and certainly, in this particular situation, the mistakes I've made have been very disappointing, and I'm certainly sorry for that, as I've mentioned many times."


However, Tressel said the five-game suspension and $250,000 fine he faces, as self-imposed by Ohio State for not alerting his superiors about information he received about players selling memorabilia, did not cause him to think about resigning after 10 years as Ohio State's head coach.


"Never had that thought," Tressel said. "What we think is important here is these kids. And whether you have some personal difficulties going on or you've made personal mistakes or whatever, that wouldn't be something that would jump in my mind. Unless there came that point in time where I said the best thing for these kids would be if I do. I don't feel that way."


Tressel also said he hasn't thought about whether the violations, sanctions and fallout could cause him to retire earlier than he would have otherwise.  


"Sometimes in the offseason you have those reflective times," Tressel said. "I haven't really had that many reflective times in the last couple months to have those kind of discussions, so I don't think that at all."


Tressel said early in his nearly hour-long news conference - half of which he used to speak about the roster for spring practice - that he couldn't talk about the pending NCAA investigation. He then repeated that in saying he couldn't answer three of the questions posed to him later in the news conference.


Ohio State spokesperson Shelly Poe also jumped in when Tressel was asked about an HBO report in which former Auburn player, and Ohio State recruit, Stanley McClover, said he received money while on an official visit to Ohio State eight years ago. Poe said because the allegation is about something that happened so long ago, and McClover is just speaking about it now, Ohio State would have no comment.


Asked whether Ohio State may investigate the claims, Poe said, "Perhaps."


As for these known NCAA violations, the announcement of the NCAA's ruling on Tressel's situation is expected this summer, if Ohio State generally agrees with the findings; or it could be held over until 2012 if Ohio State disagrees with any of the findings or sanctions.  

Ohio State did officially announce today, as expected, that Luke Fickell will serve as the interim head coach while Tressel is suspended. Fickell is the linebackers coach and co-defensive coordinator and was also promoted to assistant head coach, a title formerly held by Darrell Hazell before he left to become Kent State's head coach.


Fickell made it clear this is still Tressel's team, though, and Tressel believes his violations have not affected his ability to lead his players.


"I'm not sure I've ever talked or guided our kids with the idea that I've done everything perfectly," Tressel said. "Whether it be recently or a long time ago, I've never looked at myself that way. Some of us are parents, and we talk to our kids about doing the right thing. Well, some of us haven't done everything perfectly, but we still have a responsibility to do that."


Asked whether he believes his violations and sanctions affect the ability of Ohio State's program to succeed in the future, Tressel said, "I think everything is based upon how you handle things. ... How you move forward after a mistake, I think that will determine the relative affect in the future."


As for the fans who may be affected by Tressel's actions, the coach again talked about disappointment.


"I suppose when you've had the good fortune to have the opportunity to be in leaderships roles, and you disappoint, it's even harder," Tressel said. "But I think you have to go about things one day at a time and go and not be afraid to say that there's things I need to do better, whether it be specific to this moment or any other moment, and get better every day." 
 

Matt Painter turns down Missouri, will remain men's basketball coach at Purdue

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Painter, Purdue have agreed to eight-year contract through 2018-19.

matt-painter.jpgMatt Painter has agreed to a new contract at Purdue.


INDIANAPOLIS -- Matt Painter is staying at Purdue after talking with Missouri about its men's basketball coaching vacancy.

Purdue announced today that it has agreed to an eight-year contract with Painter through the 2018-19 season. Terms were not disclosed.

The 40-year-old Painter has been selected the Big Ten's coach of the year three times and led the Boilermakers to Sweet 16 appearances in 2009 and 2010. Purdue (26-8) made it to the third round of this year's NCAA tournament but was knocked out by Final Four participant Virginia Commonwealth.

Last year, Purdue rewarded Painter with a contract through the 2016-17 season. It included a $1.3 million base salary and up to $1 million in incentives.



Terry Pluto scribbles about the Cavaliers and the Heat (with some help from Joe Tait)

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Chatting with Joe Tait and other Cavs scribbles after the stunning 102-90 victory over Miami.

tait-march11-horiz-li.jpgView full size"I treated LeBron James like just another player coming to town," Cavaliers broadcaster Joe Tait said after the Cavaliers' victory Tuesday night. "I called him 'James.' That was it."

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Some scribbles after a chat with an old friend.

1. I talked to Joe Tait after the Miami game -- he said he "enjoyed it immensely." He appreciated how the Cavs "played hard and didn't back down." The veteran broadcaster was doing his second game this season after recovering from heart surgery. He said, "I treated LeBron James like just another player coming to town. I called him 'James.' That was it." Instead, Tait threw his enthusiasm behind on the guys on the home team.

2. Tait and I also talked about Baron Davis, who has done "everything right" since he arrival, Tait said. Not just in public, but Tait said team insiders are extremely pleased with the attitude of the veteran guard. We also talked about when World B. Free came to town near the end of his career, and was revived in Cleveland. If Davis wants that to happen, it can -- the fans are ready to embrace him.

3. Davis is dealing with a cranky knee, a banged-up back and other ailments. He has played only seven games since the trade, but the Cavs are 3-4 in those games. They have two wins over New York and this one against the Heat. As Tait said, "They are a different team with him on the floor." They are more confident, the ball moves better, guys cut to the basket.

4. Davis played only 24 minutes against the Heat and shot 4-of-10, but the Cavs outscored Miami by 22 points with him on the court. In the seven games he's averaging 14.6 points, 5.1 assists and shooting 44 percent in 24 minutes. The numbers don't reveal his real value, because he brings order to the court even when playing at 50 percent of his normal speed.

lbj-wade-squ-official-cavs-ss.jpgView full sizeTuesday's loss could signal some serious issues for LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and the Heat as the playoffs approach, says Terry Pluto.

5. Miami fans should be alarmed by this game -- and others where their team has failed when play turned physical. The Cavs out-rebounded Miami, 44-30. Ryan Hollins shut down Chris Bosh. ESPN did a breakdown, and Bosh was 0-of-4 from the field when covered by Hollins. At times, he didn't seem to want the ball. In a game where they needed a force inside, Bosh was 5-of-14 shooting for 10 points and four rebounds.

6. Yes, Bosh averaged 21.2 points and 9.6 rebounds in March, but he was shut down by Ryan Hollins? Let James and Dwyane Wade think about that.

7. The Cavs blew a 23-point lead, but came back to win by 12. That's with Miami playing James and Wade for the entire second half -- 43 minutes in total. No bench help for the Heat, and that can hurt in the playoffs.

8. Before Tuesday's loss, James was asked about the Cavs retiring his number. His answer proved that he still doesn't get it. He's the greatest player -- on the court -- in franchise history. Maybe, one day, his number will be retired. But the guy has been gone nine months, he's not even 30 and he wants Cleveland to retire his number ... after all the ESPN Decision mess? Here's what James told reporters: "Any time you get a jersey retired anywhere it is a tribute. I have my jersey in my high school and when that happened it was unbelievable. If that happens here, I'll be grateful."

9. Here's what he should have said: "I will always be grateful to Cavs fans ... but it's much too soon to talk about retired numbers. I understand why they feel hurt. I should have handled my free agency different. For leaving the way I did, I apologize." That would have made more sense then talking about his number hanging in the rafters at the Q.

10. In 17 games since the All-Star break, J.J. Hickson is averaging 15.4 points and 10.4 rebounds, playing the kind of inside basketball that Byron Scott wants. He was the best big man on the court Tuesday, with 21 points and 12 rebounds.

Floyd Mayweather makes some pocket change betting on the Cavaliers against the Heat

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Wealthy champion boxer bet $50,000 on what the Cavs would do in the second half, then tweeted about it.

floyd-mayweather.jpgFloyd Mayweather probably liked the Cavs' competitiveness against Miami.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Cleveland Cavaliers, playing in a nation of sports fans who are typically sympathetic to the underdog, were probably the sentimental favorites of many NBA fans on Tuesday night.

The Cavs were big underdogs to what some consider America's anti-Team, the Miami Heat.

Maybe it was that sentiment that prompted world champion boxer Floyd Mayweather to place a bet on the Cavaliers at halftime of their 102-90 win over ex-Cav LeBron James and the Miami Heat.

Whatever Mayweather's motive was, the Cavs came through for him. Cleveland led, 53-42, at halftime when Mayweather wagered on the Cavs, who were getting 12.5 points for second-half play alone.

Cleveland scored 49 points after halftime, to Miami's 48.

As the link above shows, Mayweather (boastfully) tweeted about his foresight, with an implied slap at the Cavaliers. It's probably just a matter of pride for him. Mayweather, who has encountered legal problems in recent years, has made about a couple million dollars in the boxing ring.

 

Pro Football Weekly's Nolan Nawrocki says some NFL types have told him Cam Newton a "fraud" and "con-artist''

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Pro Football Weekly's Nolan Nawrocki, while defending a negative scouting report on Cam Newton, said on a confernce call today that some NFL types have described Newton as full of himself and a fraud.

 

newton-camera-combine-horiz-ap.jpgThe Browns are looking hard at Cam Newton but at least a few teams aren't liking what they find when they dig.

CLEVELAND -- Pro Football Weekly draft analyst Nolan Nawrocki said on a conference call Wednesday that NFL decision-makers in the past 24 hours have described Auburn quarterback Cam Newton as a "fraud'' and "con-artist.''

 The revelation came while Nawrocki was defending his negative scouting report on Newton in Pro Football Weekly's 2011 Draft Preview -- one of the most respected books in the business.

 Browns President Mike Holmgren admitted earlier this month that the Browns were "looking hard'' at Newton and that the team, which owns the No. 6 pick in the draft, would work him out privately. If nothing else, Newton might attract some trade interest if he's there at No. 6.

 "I've spoken to a number of decision-makers who like what Cam has to offer,'' Nawrocki said on the call. "He's a good athlete, he's got an outstanding arm, he's incredibly strong as a runner. But three to five decision-makers I've spoken to in the last 24 hours expressed great concern about what he is and what he's going to bring to an NFL franchise.

 "Some of the comment that I've received were that he's full of himself, he's disillusional about the past, the term 'fraud,' the term 'narcissist,' the term 'con-artist,' they've all been used.

 "These are the opinions of the NFL scouting community. I think anybody who really investigates the character, the makeup of Cam Newton will come out with a lot of the same conclusions.''

 Nawrocki said he based his negative scouting on Newton on conversations with people from Auburn, Florida (Newton's previous school) and people from around the NFL.

 "There was a wide, enormous amount of research that was done on Cam Newton and I feel very comfortable with what was written and I fully stand behind the report.''

 The "negatives'' section of the draft preview describes Newton as "Very disingenuous — has a fake smile, comes off as very scripted and has a selfish, me-first makeup. Always knows where the cameras are and plays to them. Has an enormous ego with a sense of entitlement that continually invites trouble and makes him believe he is above the law — does not command respect from teammates and always will struggle to win a locker room. Only a one-year producer.

"Lacks accountability, focus and trustworthiness — is not punctual, seeks shortcuts and sets a bad example. Immature and has had issues with authority. Not dependable.''

 The summary on Newton describes him as an "extremely talented, dual-threat QB'' with the "arm and athletic talent desired in a rollout, play-action, bootleg vertical passing game and would fit ideally into an offense such as that of the Redskins or Raiders.  However, he always will test the rules, be difficult to manage and lacks the intangibles to win the trust of a locker room.'' It concludes he's "an overhyped, high-risk, high-reward selection with a glaring bust factor, Newton is sure to be drafted more highly than he should and could foreclose a risk-taking GM's job and taint a locker room.''

 Nawrocki said on the conference call that his evaluation of Newton is similar to that of quarterbacks JaMarcus Russell, who's out of the league, and Jimmy Clausen, who struggled in Carolina last year.

"If you look back last year at Jimmy Clausen, a lot of the same traits were mentioned -- that he was an egotistical, disengenuous, scripted player with a sense of entitlement. I think that was a big reason why he slipped to the second round.''
 Nawrocki's harsh comments came out at about the same time NFL Network's Mike Mayock told Sports Illustrated's Peter King that he had come around on Newton.

 "A month ago I had significant questions about Cam Newton,'' Mayock told King on Saturday. "But now, after studying him, I've bought into his skill set. Mechanically, he's more advanced than Tim Tebow or Vince Young were entering the NFL. Now I have to buy into the kid. After God and family, in whatever order you have them, if football's not next on your list of life priorities, then I don't want you. If he's that entertainer and icon guy, well, that's the hard part of figuring out this pick.''

 Some draft analysts, including ESPN's Todd McShay have Newton going in the top five, which would significantly impact the Browns pick.

Sidney Crosby cleared for morning skates; Pittsburgh Penguins hope he'll be back for playoffs

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One of game's greatest players, the 23-year-old has been sidelined since Jan. 4 with a concussion.

sidney-crosby.jpgSidney Crosby (left) has 572 points in 412 NHL games.

PITTSBURGH, Pennsylvania — Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby has been cleared to return to Pittsburgh's morning skates on gamedays, but he will not participate in full practices, according to general manager Ray Shero.

Crosby, the Penguins' captain who has been out since Jan. 5 with a concussion, will travel with the team to Florida and take part in the morning skate Thursday before the game vs. the Tampa Bay Lightning.

"It's a natural return for his progression here. His rehab has been ongoing," Shero said. "He's doing well with it, but at the same time, as a manager, I have no expectations of him coming back and playing in the regular season. That's not going to happen."

The next step is a full practice, and then perhaps a return to game action. Pittsburgh hopes to have him on the ice for the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs. The game vs. the Lightning appears like a potential first-round preview.

Crosby began individual workouts on March 14 and has reported no setbacks.

"I just wanted to make sure there's not any miscommunication here as to where we're coming from. There's no strategic plan from myself and (coach) Dan Bylsma to reintroduce him in our lineup at any certain day or time," Shero said. "This is a complex injury. I think we all know that. I think we're happy as to where he is in terms of getting back on the ice. His off-ice program is continuing, which is good. That's really where we are."

With a chance to make a statement in the hunt for the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference on Tuesday, the Penguins lost to the Flyers 5-2 at home. Now four points behind the Flyers — and Philadelphia has a game in hand, as well — it's more likely that the Penguins grab the No. 4 seed and gain home-ice advantage over the Lightning.

Crosby had 32 goals and 66 points at the time of his injury. Despite playing just 41 games, he is still the team's leading scorer.

"He's been dealing with this for almost three months. He does know his body well. He knows his injury at this point," Shero said. "My expectation, at this point, is that he's not going to push himself too much, but he'll push himself enough where he feels good. And if he doesn't, he'll pull back a little bit."

Cavs vs. Bobcats: Mary Schmitt Boyer's in-game blog

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CHARLOTTE, North Carolina - Notes and observations from the Cavs game against the Bobcats Wednesday night in Time Warner Cable Arena: Cavs starters: F Alonzo Gee, F J.J. Hickson, C Ryan Hollins, G Anthony Parker, G Baron Davis. Bobcats starters: F Stephen Jackson, F Boris Diaw, C Kwame Brown, G Gerald Henderson, G D.J. Augustin. Injuries: Semih Erden (strained...

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina - Notes and observations from the Cavs game against the Bobcats Wednesday night in Time Warner Cable Arena:

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

Bobcats starters: F Stephen Jackson, F Boris Diaw, C Kwame Brown, G Gerald Henderson, G D.J. Augustin.

Injuries: Semih Erden (strained right adductor), Antawn Jamison (fractured left little finger), Samardo Samuels (sprained right wrist) and Anderson Varejao (torn tendon, right foot) are out for Cavs. DeSagana Diop (ruptured right Achilles tendon), Shaun Livingston (bruised tailbone), Joel Przybilla (right knee soreness) and Tyrus Thomas (left knee soreness) are out for Bobcats.

Inactives: Erden, Jamison, Varejao for Cavs. Diop, Livingston, Przybilla for Bobcats.

Officials: Bob Delaney, Curtis Blair and Leon Wood.

Three things to watch:

1. Will the Cavs have anything left, physically or emotionally, after Tuesday night's victory over Miami?

2. How long can Baron Davis play in a back-to-back with his sore knee and bad back?

3. Can Anthony Parker or Ryan Hollins come close to repeating their performances on Tuesday?

Tribe memories: A day at the ballpark eases a life of duty and battle for contest winner Josh Snyder

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The winner, out of more than 600 entries, is training in the New Mexico desert near Fort Bliss. Watch video

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- It'll be a while before Josh Snyder gets to display the prize autographed baseball, use the free Indians tickets and throw out the first pitch at a ballgame.

Between the time he entered the "my most memorable day at an Indians game" essay contest and was invited last week to The Plain Dealer for photos and a video shoot as one of five finalists, the Army had called, asking if he was up to serve again. He told them he was.

The winner, out of more than 600 entries, is training in the New Mexico desert near Fort Bliss. Snyder, 26, a staff sergeant in the Army Reserves, is a truck driver assigned to the 958th Transportation Company. He leaves shortly for Afghanistan.

When told this week he had won, Snyder, of Creston (between Wadsworth and Lodi), was beyond thrilled. He had been reading essays by the other finalists and watching their videos online back at the base and thought they were great.

So was his.

In just 224 words, Snyder elegantly conveyed a perspective and the pure joy of relaxing at an Indians game with his best friend Anthony Griffith, who had bought him tickets as a welcome home when Snyder returned on leave from Iraq.

They were former baseball teammates at Northwestern High School in West Salem, where Snyder graduated in 2002. He was a catcher and played outfield sometimes. He was voted king at the senior prom.

Snyder wins the baseball signed by Bob Feller, Larry Doby, Enos "Country" Slaughter, Brooks Robinson, Yogi Berra, Bobby Thompson and Ralph Branca. The ball was given away by Jayson Jons, a New York photographer who had heard about Feller's death last December and thought an Indians fan should have it.

The ball will be presented to Snyder's father at The Plain Dealer's "Talkin' Tribe" Opening Day breakfast Friday. Snyder also won four tickets to an Indians game and a chance to throw out the first pitch -- although cashing in on those rewards may take a while.

He said he hopes to be back on leave in time to catch a few games this season, but has no idea if that will happen. So the Indians will leave the first pitch as an open invitation.

"I'm honored," Snyder said when told he had won.

No, Josh, the honor is ours.

snyder-fanessay-horiz-fortbliss.jpgView full sizeStaff Sgt. Josh Snyder is back in Fort Bliss, N.M., in preparation for another tour of duty in Afghanistan.

Josh Snyder's Indians memory

Some days are impossible to forget. Some games are better then the rest. Some friends just take both of them to another level.

I came home from Iraq needing a break from things I can't explain and a loneliness that could consume the strongest of men.

Baseball, mostly the Tribe, had been keeping me going for about two months, along with long emails from my best buddy. Finally, my turn for leave had come and my buddy purchased me a coming-home present, Tribe tickets.

I can't recall the score, the other team or much of what happened in the game, but what I experienced was something beyond all that. The smell of grass and not sand mixed with the cheers of joy and not pain. The comfort of having my buddy next to me enjoying the one thing that we both loved. Mostly the escape into baseball and its atmosphere.

I returned to Iraq not long after and did not come back for over a year, but this one day lived on above all. I had freedom, friendship, and baseball.

Akron's Keith Dambrot proud of rapid rise of former assistant Shaka Smart at Virginia Commonwealth

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The rise of Virginia Commonwealth coach Shaka Smart has a Northeast Ohio angle with an assistant's role at Akron.

smart-horiz-portrait-ap.jpgView full size"Shaka has a team that is playing pretty well right now that believes in what they're doing, and their coach," says Akron head coach Keith Dambrot about VCU coach Shaka Smart, who was an assistant for Dambrot with the Zips.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Virginia Commonwealth has reached the NCAA Tournament's Final Four this weekend in Houston.

While the Rams' run as one of the last teams admitted to the tournament has been a surprise, so has the rise of Shaka Smart, their young, diminutive head coach who is a combination of street and book smart.

Smart, who turns 34 on April 8, was named by his absentee father after the 19th century African warrior, Shaka Zulu.

After his playing days at Kenyon College, Smart made coaching stops at California (Pa.), Dayton, Akron, Clemson, Florida and now VCU. His longest coaching tenure to date was the three years he spent at Akron, where he was hired as an assistant by Dan Hipsher, and joined a staff that included current Zips coach Keith Dambrot.

After Smart's first year, Hipsher was fired. It only took a day for Akron to move Dambrot up from assistant to head coach, and Dambrot kept Smart on the staff.

"People forget, Shaka was out of work for a day," Dambrot quipped.

Smith has a master's degree in social science and has done major studies on race consciousness, graduating magna cum laude from Kenyon.

Dambrot said to not let the educational background fool you.

"Shaka has been through a lot of adversity in his life," Dambrot said. "He is not some silver spoon dude now; a single parent mom pretty much raised him. Not a lot of money. Well educated. You look at him and think he's some rich spoiled kid because he's so smart, but he not. He's one tough dude. He's had to grind to get where he has gotten."

Dambrot said he and Smart have spoken weekly ever since he left Akron. It is a bond that has grown to be like brothers.

"He's different than most coaches," Dambrot said. "Shaka likes poetry. He likes to read. He's a historian. He's more intellectually based than most coaches. More well-rounded. The only thing I know more about than him is the stock market.

"I don't talk politics with him. I don't go there. I don't want to read the books he reads. I couldn't understand the books he reads."

Dambrot said VCU's run to the Final Four has put Smart's ability as a coach on full display against the best programs in the country. Combined with Butler's second straight Final Four appearance, VCU is showing that teams from non-major conferences can aspire to earn a spot on the big stage of college basketball.

"I don't think it's luck," Dambrot said. "Shaka has a team that is playing pretty well right now that believes in what they're doing, and their coach. They are playing well at the right time.

"I also think this shows that the gap between the bigs and the middle is a lot smaller than a lot of people might want to believe.

"Butler and Shaka both have some of the same ingredients," he said. "They are experienced. They have overcome adversity, obviously well coached, and have just enough size to play with the big boys. For Shaka and VCU, they are not just beating the teams they have played [USC, Georgetown, Purdue, Florida State and Kansas], they have kicked their butt. They have beat some storied programs."

In the process, Smart is now on the short list for a lot of vacant major-college coaching jobs around the country.

Yet in Dambrot's eyes, should Smart jump from his current $325,000 deal at VCU to double or triple his salary somewhere else, the young coach will remain grounded.

"The one thing he has is his commitment to other people, which is unmatched," Dambrot said. "Most guys who have gone where he has gone, they don't look back.

"Not Shaka. He deserves everything he can get."


Cleveland Fan gets some revenge, but closure is still a ways off: Bud Shaw's Sports Spin

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To bring real closure -- a word I heard more than once following Tuesday's win -- the stakes have to be much greater.

james-fans-horiz-march-ss.jpgView full sizeThe chants may not have been quite as ferocious on Tuesday, but Cavaliers fans don't look quite ready to forgive and forget when it comes to LeBron, says Bud Shaw.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- It's not over until Cleveland Fan says it is...

The Cavs had a nice win over LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and that cardboard cutout of Chris Bosh the Heat dragged up and down the court at The Q Tuesday night.

The proverb says revenge is a dish best served cold. From July 8 to March 29 is a long enough wait to qualify in that regard. (Note to Cavs: for future reference, revenge can also be tasty served lukewarm or even red hot. So no need to be so calculated in planning the next comeuppance of the Heat.)

But for revenge to bring real closure -- a word I heard more than once following Tuesday's win, just never from real Cleveland fans who know better -- the stakes have to be much greater.

At any rate, I'm not going to stand idly by and let anyone underestimate this sports town's reservoir of bitterness and capacity for holding a grudge. Revenge is beating the Heat at the end of March and waking up to 15 wins in the NBA standings. Tastes great, but not exactly filling.

Closure is beating the Heat and waking to 51 wins in the standings.

Revenge is keeping the Heat from making a claim on the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference. Closure is beating Miami for the bigger reward of leapfrogging the Heat or Boston for playoff position.

Late Tuesday, Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert tweeted: "Not in our garage!!"

Funny. Revenge is pointing LBJ's horsemen and their horseless carriage away from the underground parking because they didn't call ahead. Closure is a security guard someday seeing the same group and saying, "And you are? And you're with?"

And meaning it.

Closure is James missing the introductions because he's in the bathroom with a nervous stomach just thinking of the tough slog he'll face every time he drives to the basket.

Revenge is James missing the introductions because he's in the bathroom fishing for a quarter for the pay toilet Gilbert just had installed in the visiting locker room that afternoon.

(That didn't happen. I'm making that up ... I think.)

miami-trio-highfive-horiz-ap.jpgView full sizeThere may be no way to easily dim the mutual admiration society of the Heat trio, but a few untimely losses might help the situation, says Bud Shaw.

Revenge is winning one of four from the Heat in James' first year gone. Closure is winning four in the postseason.

After such a miserable year, it's not surprising if some outsiders confused the two. But there's a lot more bitterness where that came confetti came from Tuesday. And reason for even more therapy when the Cavs once again give you reason to ask:

Where was this effort in December, and on most nights since?

Then again, it did more than just beat the alternative ...

The timing of the Cavs win couldn't be better in one regard, coming two days after James, Bosh and Wade impressed themselves by becoming just the second triumvirate to each score 30 points and grab 10 rebounds in regulation. Miami narrowly beat Houston.

"It's a true testament to the reason we all came together," Wade said at the time. "That was history. ... It's a great feat."

Yes, a March feat. And quite the springboard, obviously.

When the scouting report said he had a "rocket," everyone assumed it meant his arm ...

Tampa Rays' third baseman Evan Longoria had a AK47 stolen from the spring training home he shared with two teammates. Longoria refused to discuss the items stolen. He referred to the incident as a "personal" matter.

The Charlotte County Sheriff's Office did say the gun was "perfectly legal" and "absolutely, perfectly legitimate, fully documented."

Well, then. Makes perfect sense.

Case closed.

HE SAID IT

"Coach, we're gonna talk about this one all summer." -- An arena security guard, to Byron Scott, in a AP story after the Cavs's win over the Heat.

Unfortunately, he's probably right.

SEPARATED AT BIRTH

(March Madness Volume III)

Butler University's Matt Howard and Saturday Night Live's Andy Samberg -- Brad Pyner

Kentucky's Josh Harrellson and Yankees' outfielder Nick Swisher -- Matt Zagorc, Euclid

SPINOFFS

ESPN basketball commentator Jalen Rose was arrested in Michigan on suspicion of drunken driving. No word yet on how he plans to blame Duke...

hafner-spring11-horiz-swing-cc.jpgView full sizeTravis Hafner batted .304 in Arizona, but with just a lone homer in 56 at-bats, he didn't exactly ease some longstanding concerns from Indians fans.

Ever the supportive manager, Manny Acta says he has "no problem with Travis Hafner's hitting." To which Indian Fan says, "So, you're the one..."

Yahoo Sports headline: "Cavs get revenge on Heat." OK, OK, good to see the Cavs back on the national radar. Related headline: "Hollis Stars." Hollins, too...

The Pro Football Weekly draft preview rips apart Auburn quarterback Cam Newton as having a "sense of entitlement that continually invites trouble ... does not command respect ... lacks accountability ... not dependable ..."

Why do I get the feeling Terrelle Pryor just got another idea for his eye black in Week 6 next year? ...

A boxing match featuring Jose Canseco was cancelled after promoters discovered Canseco sent his twin brother, Ozzie, in his place. It was easy to recognize the switch since Ozzie's chin is made of a different kind of glass...

The burglars who reportedly made off with Longoria's AK47 from his spring training home apparently thought his catapult and cannon balls were too heavy to carry ...

San Francisco Giants' equipment manager Mike Murphy testified in Barry Bonds' perjury trial that Bonds' hat size grew from 7 1/4 to 7 3/8 between 2000 and 2002 even as Bonds began shaving his head. Too much praise can do that ...

YOU SAID IT

"Bud:

"Which do you find the better feel-good story of the spring: The fierce battle Lou Marson waged to win the backup catching job. Or Matt LaPorta fending off all comers to secure his iron-clad grasp on first base? Both bring me to the verge of tears." -- Jeff, Westlake

Just guessing here. You are not "In The Tribe?"

"Bud:

"I'm shopping for scarlet or gray sweater vests. Any advice?" -- Tom Hoffner

Yes. Since everything is a barter these days in Columbus, don't trade pants you are wearing at the time.

"Bud:

"How long do you think you can use the pen name 'Tom Hoffner' before your Plain Dealer editors catch on?" -- Anne

Thank you for assuming they read me.

"Bud:

"Can we promote Baron Davis to like a 'Duke' or an 'Earl' or something?" -- Pat

After one start? Only if the other choice is putting his jersey in the rafters next to Nate Thurmond's.

"Bud:

"If the Tribe is unable to acquire a veteran third baseman like Brook Jacoby, do you think Manny Acta will be forced to switch from the traditional 4-3 infield defense to the 3-4?" -- The Albatross

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

"Bud:

"Back when you were a preening, pampered young stud on your campus newspaper staff, did you ever get any discounted chocolate malts in return for your freshman beanie?" -- Moldo

Repeat winners get hazed.

Time to see who's a keeper and who needs to go - Cavaliers Comment of the Day

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"Great win for Byron and the guys. Hopefully a view of things to come. This is the point in the season where we find out who competes in October and who moves on. Baron Davis brings leadership we missed earlier in the season." - larryscheap

Cleveland Cavaliers lose to Orlando Magic, 97-86View full sizeRyan Hollins played well against Miami despite struggling all season.

In response to the story With Ryan Hollins not backing down, neither does the determined Cleveland Cavaliers in topping Miami, cleveland.com reader larryscheap thinks the remaining games will tell us plenty about this roster. This reader writes,

"Great win for Byron and the guys. Hopefully a view of things to come. This is the point in the season where we find out who competes in October and who moves on. Baron Davis brings leadership we missed earlier in the season."

To respond to larryscheap's comment, go here.

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

Lake Erie Monsters' winning streak ends at eight with 3-2 loss to Rockford IceHogs

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CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Home, road, weekday, weekend. Made no difference. When the Lake Erie Monsters took the ice in March, they were fantastic -- except when they faced the Rockford IceHogs. The Monsters struggled early and late Wednesday night in a 3-2 loss to the IceHogs at The Q. Lake Erie (40-26-3-5) had a franchise-best winning streak snapped at eight games. It ended the month...

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Home, road, weekday, weekend.

Made no difference.

When the Lake Erie Monsters took the ice in March, they were fantastic -- except when they faced the Rockford IceHogs.

The Monsters struggled early and late Wednesday night in a 3-2 loss to the IceHogs at The Q.

Lake Erie (40-26-3-5) had a franchise-best winning streak snapped at eight games. It ended the month 9-2, the other defeat coming March 5 against Rockford, also by a score of 3-2 at The Q.

The IceHogs (33-32-4-5)  have won five in a row.

Rockford took the play to the hosts in the first period, holding a 12-4 advantage in shots. But all the IceHogs had to show for it was a tie score.

Lake Erie grabbed a 1-0 lead at 5:59 of the first when Julian Talbot beat goalie Hannu Toivonen from the top of the left circle. Rockford answered at 16:23, defenseman Garnet Exelby lighting the lamp.

The Monsters pulled ahead, 2-1, at 1:33 of the second. Matthew Ford gathered a rebound of Justin Mercier's shot and cashed from the top of the crease.

IceHogs center Jeff Taffe, given plenty of time to load, unleashed a rocket past goalie Jason Bacashihua on the power play at 17:03. Taffe ranks first on his club with 26 goals.

Rockford made it 3-2 at 4:57 of the third.

The Monsters applied several waves of pressure midway through the period. Ford and Harrison Reed had scoring opportunities.

Rockford was whistled for too many men late in the third, but the Monsters failed to generate much buzz on the power play.

 

With nothing to lose, players found a way to win against Heat: Cavaliers Insider

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With Tuesday's victory over Miami, the Cavaliers emphatically answered the question posed by coach Byron Scott: What have you got to lose?

hickson-charge-henderson-vert-ap.jpgView full sizeJ.J. Hickson was called for a charge against the Bobcats' Gerald Henderson in the first quarter of Wednesday's game.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Before Tuesday's game against Miami, there were three goals written on the white board in the Cavaliers' locker room: 1. Play hard. 2. Take care of the home. 3. What do you have to lose/gain?

While the Cavs accomplished all three in their 102-90 upset of Miami, it was clear afterward which one really hit home.

"The attitude before the game was we had nothing to lose," said J.J. Hickson, who led the Cavs with 21 points and 12 rebounds. "One of the main things [Byron Scott] said was, 'We're playing for ourselves. We're not playing for anyone outside this locker room. We're not playing for any accolades. We're just playing for ourselves and our pride.'

"With that statement, we came out and showed that we were playing for ourselves and had a little pride."

Scott admittedly was not pleased with the Heat's first visit -- a 118-90 victory on Dec. 2.

"The last one left a bad taste in my mouth," he said. "They embarrassed us. I was still a little ticked off by that."

Added Anthony Parker, "The first time we played them here, we were embarrassed. They took a little bit from us. This was the night we wanted to get that back -- for us, but more so for the fans because they've been so great. That was the great feeling -- getting it back for them."

On guard: Baron Davis clashed with Charlotte coach Paul Silas as a rookie, and then later with Scott in New Orleans. But now both coaches appreciate how he has grown.

"Baron is very special to me and he always will be," Silas said before Wednesday's game. "I think he's matured a lot. I think he understands now what he has to do to help a ballclub, how important his coach is and that they have to try to be on the same page.

"You just have to understand Baron. He's so smart, you just can't come at him foolishly. You have to come at him straight up and let him know what you're thinking, what he's thinking. Then you can come together. If you just tell him what you want done and he doesn't think it's right, then you're going to have a problem. So you have to be on the same page with him."

Scott did not disagree.

"Communication is very important for BD because of the fact that he is so smart," Scott said. "He sees things in a different light than a lot of guys. Most great players do. We have to have that communication because I expect him to go out there on the floor and carry out our plan."

Garden party: Samardo Samuels, who missed his second straight game on Wednesday, revealed that he could be facing surgery to repair a damaged tendon in his sprained right wrist. But he's hoping the injury will be healed in time to allow him to play against the Knicks on Sunday in Madison Square Garden.

The rookie went to high school across the river in Newark and had a huge game in the Cavs' last visit, drawing two charges on Carmelo Anthony in the final 1:32 of an upset victory.

"Oh, man," he said about possibly missing the game. "I don't even want to think about it. That's going to be a game right there. It's going to be a crazy atmosphere. I can't wait to see those guys. It's going to need a lot more than a little torn ligament [to keep me out]."

The last word: From Scott, on the written NBA ruling that voided LeBron James' 3-point shot to end the third quarter Tuesday but didn't change the score, "That is crap. Let's not talk about that. ... It's like doctor writing a prescription for you. What the hell is this?"

Short-handed at the offensive line, Buckeyes may alter spring game format: Ohio State Insider

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Ohio State has only 10 offensive linemen in camp for the spring, which makes staying healthy the ultimate priority. Watch video

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Forget the violations, forget the suspensions for a moment. Ohio State might not have enough bodies to play a normal spring game?

Citing low numbers on the offensive line in particular, OSU coach Jim Tressel said Wednesday that the spring game at 1:30 p.m. on April 23 in Ohio Stadium may be more like a modified scrimmage, the offense against the defense, rather than a full-fledged game with the Buckeyes divided into two full teams.

Tressel also said the players are looking for a greater sense of competition from what serves as the final of 15 spring practices, and a scrimmage may do a better job than a game where the players draft the teams and often create imbalances and mismatches.

But it's more about the numbers. That's because there will be only 10 offensive linemen in camp when spring practice begins Thursday, which as Tressel pointed out, leaves them one sprained ankle away from being unable to fill out two full lines.

That's an issue for the spring, for sure, but is also something to keep in mind for the fall, when the Buckeyes will add three other freshmen but will still be without much wiggle room.

"We've got some new ones coming in for August, but only 10 this spring gives us some challenges," Tressel said.

The 10 for now are starting center Mike Brewster, starting tackles Mike Adams and J.B. Shugarts, a group of four fighting for the two open guard spots in Jack Mewhort, Corey Linsley, Marcus Hall and Andrew Norwell, early-enrolled freshman Tommy Brown and walk-ons Ivan Blackman and Ben St. John.

Ready for preseason camp will be freshmen Brian Bobek, Tony Underwood and Chris Carter, but that will only bring the group to 13. Last season, for instance, the Buckeyes operated with about 17 reliable offensive linemen on the roster. The Buckeyes could add more walk-ons in the fall, but they won't be near ready to see the field.

Throw in that Adams, the starting left tackle, is suspended for the first five games of the season as part of the Buckeyes' NCAA violations for selling memorabilia, and Shugarts, the starting right tackle, battled foot problems that knocked him out for the second half of several games last season, and there are even more reasons to keep your eyes on the line.

There's a lot to sort out there this spring and even more reason for the Buckeyes to stay healthy while doing it.

Quarterback battle: The spring battle at quarterback will be waged without senior Terrelle Pryor, and not because he's suspended for the first five games.

Pryor's right foot remains in a walking boot following the surgery he had on Jan. 7 to repair a ligament he injured in the Sugar Bowl. Tressel confirmed that Pryor will miss all of spring practice.

"Hopefully, he'll be out of the boot by the end of the week," Tressel said. "I don't know when he'll actually be able to move on the thing."

Even if Pryor was healthy, the Buckeyes would need to find a replacement for the first five games. The candidates are senior Joe Bauserman, early-enrolled freshman Braxton Miller, redshirt sophomore Kenny Guiton and redshirt freshman Taylor Graham. Expect Bauserman to open the spring getting the most snaps with the first team.

"I'm going to have as much fun watching as you guys are," Tressel said, "as to who's going to step up and emerge."

Defensive turnover: Seven starters are gone from last season's defense. Co-defensive coordinator Luke Fickell said this is the biggest loss on the defensive side since the 2006 team opened up by trying to replace first-round draft picks A.J. Hawk, Bobby Carpenter and Donte Whitner, among others.

"That's the exciting time for us as coaches," Fickell said. "To me, this is a much more exciting spring, when you're not sure exactly what you're going to have when they walk out there."

The new starting candidates to keep an eye on this spring -- Travis Howard, Dominic Clarke and Florida State transfer Dionte Allen at corner; C.J. Barnett and Tyler Moeller at safety; Etienne Sabino, Storm Klein and Dorian Bell at linebacker and Johnathan Hankins, Adam Bellamy and Garrett Goebel on the defensive line.

The returning starters on defense are linemen John Simon and Nathan Williams, linebacker Andrew Sweat and safety Orhian Johnson.

Showing his stuff: Cameron Heyward worked out for NFL talent evaluators after his recovery from elbow surgery kept him from taking part in Ohio State's Pro Day three weeks ago.

About 25 teams were represented, with the Pittsburgh Steelers sending both coach Mike Tomlin and defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau. Heyward was happy with his workout, which included everything but the bench press, running his 40 in about 4.96 seconds, and he said he believes he will be a first-round draft pick.

Dexter Larimore and Bryant Browning also used the day to do more workouts for scouts.

New helmets: One other change at the spring game will be obvious. During all of spring practice, the Buckeyes will be wearing silver camouflage helmets as a tribute to the military, a look that Tressel said went over well with the players.

The style won't carry over into the fall.

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