Pat Shurmur says he's "looking forward to working with the guys that we have."

View full sizeAP photoPlaxico Burress (in cap) is not in the Browns' plans when the lockout ends and the team considers free agent additions.

AKRON, Ohio -- The Browns will not pursue free agent wide receiver Plaxico Burress who was released from prison Monday, a league source told The Plain Dealer.

Burress, 33, has missed two full seasons while serving 20 months on an illegal firearms charge after his loaded handgun went off in a Manhattan nightclub and struck him in the leg. When the NFL lockout ends, he can sign with any team.

Clubs mentioned as possible suitors for Burress include Philadelphia, the New York Jets and St. Louis.

Browns coach Pat Shurmur, speaking Tuesday at the Browns 12th annual Cleveland Browns Foundation Golf Tournament at Firestone Country Club in Akron, indicated the Browns feel pretty set at the position.

"I feel like we've got some veteran receivers,'' he said. "Although they're younger, they've played NFL seasons, so I'm looking forward to working with the guys that we have. I feel like we have a good team to start and move forward with, and that's the way we're gonna approach it.''

Shurmur, who was quarterbacks coach for the Eagles when controversial receiver Terrell Owens played there, said he'd evaluate character on an individual basis. Owens and Randy Moss will also be free agents.

"We want to try to bring in players that obviously are competitive, are guys that can win and have good character,'' he said. "So you always evaluate all those situations in a player. We're trying to do what's best and bring in the best players for the Cleveland Browns. Everything about a player is always evaluated, so I think that's important that we keep that in mind.'''

In nine seasons with the Steelers and Giants, Burress caught 505 passes for 7,845 yards and 78 touchdowns.

Don't expect the Browns to be major players in free agency when the NFL lockout is finally over, according to GM Tom Heckert.

View full sizeGus Chan / The Plain Dealer"There's a couple of guys that we may be interested in," Browns GM Tom Heckert said Tuesday of potential free agents in the NFL, "but it's not going to be enough where it's going to affect how we practice and all of that stuff."

AKRON, Ohio -- The Browns won't break the bank on veteran free agents when the NFL re-opens for business, General Manager Tom Heckert said Tuesday.

"We're not going to be gung-ho in free agency," he said after finishing his round at the 12th annual Browns Foundation Golf Tournament at Firestone Country Club. "There's a couple of guys that we may be interested in, but it's not going to be enough where it's going to affect how we practice and all of that stuff."

One free agent the Browns will not pursue is receiver Plaxico Burress, a league source told The Plain Dealer. Heckert said the Browns don't feel desperate to upgrade their receiving corps.

"We added a tight end, and added a fullback that can catch the ball, so I think we did help our receiving as a group," he said. "But if we think somebody can improve us, we'll do it."

Heckert indicated the Browns will be on the lookout for a possible starting safety.

"Right now, Mike Adams is penciled in as a guy who's going to play almost all safety for us, but we'll see," he said. "There's a few guys in free agency and we'll see what happens with the undrafted rookies, so we still have a couple of options out there."

Heckert also confirmed a recent Plain Dealer report that the Browns will not trade for Eagles quarterback Kevin Kolb.

"You can dispel that," he said. "We're not trading for a quarterback. That one I'll say."

Heckert couldn't say if fullback Lawrence Vickers is correct to think he won't be back following the drafting of Stanford's Owen Marecic. "It's hard to tell," he said. "We didn't really have a chance to talk to him once free agency started because of the rules. It never started. We'll have to make all of those decisions once everything opens up."

The status of quarterback Jake Delhomme, under contract at $5.4 million, is equally uncertain, Heckert said. "Whenever the thing opens up, we'll sit down with Jake and talk to him and decide what's the best for him and for our organization," Heckert said. "We have to wait until that happens."

Heckert said he's happy that Colt McCoy is getting the offensive skill players together -- Camp Colt III opens Thursday at Texas -- but couldn't quantify it.

"How much they're actually going to learn football-wise, that's debatable, but I do think it's healthy," he said. "Those guys are used to being around each other and so anytime they can do it, I think it's great."

Heckert said the staff, including coaches, are set to go on vacation -- but with some caveats.

"Don't be spending a lot of money, putting it down on houses and don't go out of the country because we might be back," said Heckert. "So yes, we'll be gone, but we'll be ready to come back if we have to."

On Twitter: @marykaycabot

Terrelle Pryor was at once a success and a failure as Ohio State's quarterback. In major college football, the two can be easily linked.

View full sizeMarvin Fong / The Plain DealerFrom the first day of Terrelle Pryor's time in Columbus, the fates of the Buckeyes' QB and head coach Jim Tressel were intertwined. How it ended in turmoil for the Ohio State football program and the premature departure of both men was stunning.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Terrelle Pryor was unveiled as a Buckeye in what amounted to his underwear.

In June of 2008, Pryor and seven other incoming freshmen stripped down to their shorts as Ohio State trainers placed sensors on them, measuring their balance and flexibility and assessing potential areas of weakness where they could be susceptible to injury. Reporters were invited to the session though interviews were prevented, so the TV cameras and everyone else just ... watched.

In June of 2011, Pryor ended his Buckeye career by leaving his lawyer's office, his attorney Larry James passing along a one-sentence statement Tuesday night that the quarterback with the 31-4 record as a starter was giving up his senior season for the good of his teammates. Pryor was a winner with thrilling skills, yet the best thing he could do in the end was leave while no one was watching.

Between those Junes, the career of the Ohio State quarterback was at once an enthralling success and a disheartening failure. In big-time college football, success and failure are often joined at the hip, every bowl win, passing record and TV highlight leading to another opportunity to blow up your career off the field.

Maybe the system helped to do this to Pryor, but the quarterback himself and every adult around him, starting with former coach Jim Tressel, allowed it to happen.

Having dealt with basketball star Greg Oden, who left Ohio State after playing in a national title game as the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft, the year before, the OSU higher-ups felt they were ready for the Pryor hype. Obviously, they weren't.

In addition to the memorabilia Pryor sold after his freshman season, which led to a five-game suspension from the NCAA, word came from ESPN's Outside the Lines on Tuesday night, after Pryor's statement, that the quarterback is alleged to have received between $20,000 and $40,000 from signing memorabilia, according to a former friend who witnessed it. Pryor allegedly received $500 to $1,000 at a time from a freelance photographer for signing mini-helmets and other items.

Giving Pryor the starting job four games into his freshman season didn't help reduce the hype, but while Tressel and the Buckeyes were routinely shielding Pryor from media interviews, they weren't shielding him from the rest of what was out there.

In the aftermath of consecutive national championship game losses, Pryor said his plan was to get "Coach Tress" over the hump, and instead coach and quarterback helped end each other's careers at Ohio State.

The senior class of 2008 -- which included James Laurinaitis, Malcolm Jenkins, Brian Robiskie and Marcus Freeman -- was criticized by some for not having the edge, that killer instinct, that allowed them to win a national title. Depending on how severely the Buckeyes are sanctioned by the NCAA, fans may be longing for the day when they can complain about only reaching the national championship, but not winning it.

Once Tressel resigned, it wasn't hard to decipher that Pryor might be next. Last week, Pryor's high school quarterbacks coach, Roy Hall, told The Plain Dealer that the Oakland Raiders had called him to ask about Pryor. To me, Pryor doesn't look like a quarterback who is anywhere close to being ready to succeed in the NFL.

In some ways, he wasn't ready to succeed at Ohio State. He won 31 games. But he cost himself a chance to win a 32nd. For that, the quarterback and his school stand together, exposed.

Phelps played mostly at shortstop for Class AAA Columbus, but saw time at second and third as well.

AP photoCord Phelps is expected to be on the Indians' big-league roster for Wednesday's afternoon game against Minnesota.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Indians have promoted infielder Cord Phelps from Class AAA Columbus, a source said.

Phelps was told he is coming to Cleveland after the Clippers' 5-1 victory over Rochester on Tuesday night in Columbus. He packed and received well-wishes from teammates.

The Indians, who face Minnesota at 12:05 p.m. Wednesday, have not announced a corresponding roster move. They defeated the Twins, 1-0, Tuesday night. 

Phelps has played predominantly shortstop for the Clippers because Jason Kipnis is at second and Lonnie Chisenhall is at third.

Phelps also has played second and third and been the designated hitter.

Phelps was a third-round pick in 2008 out of Stanford.

Interim coach Luke Fickell, in his only guaranteed year on the job, should be likely to go with the quarterback with the greatest upside.

Jan Underwood / Dayton Daily NewsBraxton Miller seems well-positioned to be the Buckeyes' starting quarterback sometime during the 2011 season.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Expect freshman quarterback Braxton Miller to take over as Ohio State's starting quarterback now that Terrelle Pryor's OSU career is over.

Miller is one of four scholarship quarterbacks still on the roster, joined by fifth-year senior Joe Bauserman, redshirt sophomore Kenny Guiton and redshirt freshman Taylor Graham. None of the four clearly won the job in spring practice, as Pryor sat out following surgery and the Buckeyes were preparing for his five-game suspension at the start of the season.

In that old scenario, perhaps going with the veteran Bauserman would have made sense, because any quarterback was just keeping the seat warm for Pryor. Now that a full-time quarterback is needed, interim coach Luke Fickell, in his only guaranteed year on the job, should be more likely to go with the quarterback with the greatest upside.

Ohio State has lost so much during the scandal surrounding NCAA violations, there isn't much more to lose.

Miller might have problems at the start, but he's also the quarterback with the best chance by the end of the season to give fans something to celebrate.

The Mavericks outscored the Miami Heat, 21-9, over the final 10:12 to pull out their second win of series.

View full sizeRon Jenkins / Fort Worth Star-TelegramShawn Marion powered home two of his 16 points with this dunk in Game 4 Tuesday night. The Mavericks evened the NBA Finals with an 86-83 victory at the AmericanAirlines Center.

DALLAS -- Dirk Nowitzki and the Dallas Mavericks have pulled off another stunning comeback, tying the NBA Finals at two games each.

This time, Nowitzki did it while battling the flu.

Nowitzki shook off three poor quarters to score 10 of his 21 points in the final period as the Mavericks outscored the Miami Heat, 21-9, over the final 10:12 for an 86-83 victory in a memorable Game 4 Tuesday night.

The Mavs avoided going down 3-1, a deficit no team has ever overcome in the finals, and guaranteed the series will return to Miami for a Game 6 on Sunday night.

"We just played with incredible heart and passion," Dallas center Tyson Chandler said.

Dwyane Wade scored 32 points, but fumbled an inbounds pass with 6.7 seconds left. He knocked the ball back to Mike Miller for a potential tying 3-pointer, but it wasn't even close to hitting the rim.

Chris Bosh scored 24 points for Miami, but the Heat got a stunningly unproductive game from their biggest star, LeBron James. He scored only eight points, making just 3 of 11 shots. He contributed nine rebounds and seven assists, but his lack of scoring sticks out because of the loss.

Nowitzki opened the game looking just fine, making his first three shots. But then he missed 10 of 11, and missed a free throw for the first time since Game 4 of the conference finals. By then, word spread of his illness.

With the game -- and likely the series -- on the line, Nowitzki found a way to come through. He made only two of six shots, but that included a terrific layup with 14.4 seconds left; he made all six of his free throws.

Hey, if he could win Game 2 with a left-handed layup two days after tearing a tendon in the tip of his middle finger, what's a little temperature?

"We all seen him go through walkthroughs," Chandler said. "Every time he started to talk he started coughing. He was wheezing."

Miami was poised to take a commanding lead in the series when Udonis Haslem hit a jumper that made it 74-65 early in the fourth quarter. It was the Heat's biggest lead and the way Nowitzki was playing, the Mavericks didn't seem capable of pulling off another rally like the 22-5 finish that won Game 2.

Yet Jason Terry -- who kick-started that comeback with six straight points -- made consecutive baskets, and the surge was on. Terry ended up capping it with two free throws with 6.7 seconds left that forced Miami to need a 3-pointer.

Here is Wednesday's essay by Cynthia Millen of Berea.

View full sizeAP photoKen Harrelson spent the last three seasons of his nine-year big-league career with the Indians, hitting just .220 while belting 33 home runs.

This spring, we asked readers to tell us their best memory at an Indians game. More than 600 of you responded. All season, The Plain Dealer will publish fan memories -- one each day the Indians are scheduled to play. Here is Wednesday's essay by Cynthia Millen of Berea:

Rewind to the summer of 1969. A dashing new ballplayer is capturing the hearts of the female population in Cleveland, and a 14-year-old girl from Lakewood has fallen head over heels in love. The Cleveland Indians ballplayer was Ken "The Hawk" Harrelson, and that star-struck teenager was me.

Before the arrival of Ken Harrelson, I hadn't paid much attention to baseball. My older brother, Gary, was the one interested in sports, with an extensive collection of baseball cards and a radio that would broadcast many of the games every season. My father and brother talked a lot of sports and attended some games together. They had a special connection through sports, but I wasn't interested.

With the addition of The Hawk to the Indians, my interest skyrocketed. I couldn't believe that someone so handsome and charismatic could be a baseball player. In my dreams, I was sure that if Ken Harrelson could just meet me it would be love at first sight for him, too.

My dreams came one step closer to reality when Dad came home with tickets to a special meet-the-players event at the stadium. My father and I were going to my first Cleveland Indians baseball game. After the game, some of the players would be greeting fans at an enclosed area in the stadium.

I remember that afternoon as vividly as if it were yesterday. Lots of fans were crowded together and the players were making their way along a fence. As Ken Harrelson came closer to us, I didn't think I could breathe! I was so afraid he would just smile and move on, but he didn't. He stopped right in front of me, took my hand, kissed it and said, "Hello there, sweets."

I am smiling now as I remember that moment of a lifetime. Dad gave me a big hug, and the two of us connected in a special way that has never been forgotten. To this day, we continue to enjoy Cleveland sports together and often reminisce about our day at the stadium with The Hawk.

Sporting News College Football Writer Dave Curtis analyzes Terrelle Pryor's decision to end his college career in this video from Cinesport.

Sporting News College Football Writer Dave Curtis analyzes Terrelle Pryor's decision to end his college career in this video from Cinesport.

For more Cinesport video on cleveland.com, go here.

The first three games of the NBA Finals between the Miami Heat and Dallas Mavericks were more popular with viewers than any of pro basketball's ultimate series since 2004, the Nielsen Co. said. The games were up slightly over last year's Boston Celtics-Los Angeles Lakers series, averaging 15.34 million viewers.

Associated PressMiami Heat's Dwyane Wade goes up for a shot during the second half of Game 3 of the NBA Finals basketball game against the Dallas Mavericks Sunday, June 5, 2011, in Dallas. The Heat won 88-86 take a 2-1 lead in the series. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip; Pool)

NEW YORK (AP) — No Lakers? No Celtics? No problem.

The first three games of the NBA Finals between the Miami Heat and Dallas Mavericks were more popular with viewers than any of pro basketball's ultimate series since 2004, the Nielsen Co. said. The games were up slightly over last year's Boston Celtics-Los Angeles Lakers series, averaging 15.34 million viewers.

The Celtics and the Lakers are the NBA's marquee teams and popular with viewers. But stars like LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Dirk Nowitzki are proving compelling this year.

The three games led ABC to a victory in Nielsen's weekly prime-time ratings competition. ABC averaged 7.7 million viewers last week (4.7 rating, 8 share).

CBS was second with 6.6 million viewers, (4.3, 7), NBC had 5.6 million (3.4, 6), Fox had 4.3 million (2.6, 4), ION Television had 1.2 million (0.8, 1) and the CW had 930,000 (0.6, 1).

Among the Spanish-language networks, Univision led with a 3.6 million viewer average (1.9, 3), Telemundo had 1.2 million (0.6, 1), TeleFutura had 470,000 (0.2, 0), Azteca had 200,000 and Estrella 190,000 (both 0.1, 0).

Nielsen did not immediately have last week's evening news ratings available.

A ratings point represents 1,147,000 households, or 1 percent of the nation's estimated 114.7 million TV homes. The share is the percentage of in-use televisions tuned to a given show.

For the week of May 30-June 5, the top 10 shows, their networks and viewerships: NBA Finals: Dallas vs. Miami, Game 2, ABC, 15.52 million; NBA Finals: Miami vs. Dallas, Game 3, ABC, 15.34 million; "America's Got Talent" (Tuesday), NBC, 15.28 million; NBA Finals: Dallas vs. Miami, Game 1, ABC, 15.17 million; "The Voice," NBC, 14.41 million; "NCIS," CBS, 11.31 million; "NCIS: Los Angeles," CBS, 9.91 million; "60 Minutes," CBS, 9.55 million; "The Mentalist," CBS, 8.77 million; "So You Think You Can Dance" (Wednesday), Fox, 8.58 million.

___

ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Co. CBS is owned by CBS Corp. CW is a joint venture of Warner Bros. Entertainment and CBS Corp. Fox and My Network TV are units of News Corp. NBC and Telemundo are owned by General Electric Co. ION Television is owned by ION Media Networks. TeleFutura is a division of Univision. Azteca America is a wholly owned subsidiary of TV Azteca S.A. de C.V.

___

Online:

Which duo do you prefer?

Mark J. Terrill l Associated PressArizona's Derrick Williams.

The Cleveland Cavaliers have the first and fourth pick in the NBA Draft. There were rumors recently that the Cavs wanted to make a deal with the Minnesota Timberwolves for their second pick in the draft.

But what if the Cavaliers could make a deal with Minnesota by giving up their first overall pick for Minnesota's second pick and point guard Ricky Rubio? And following that trade, the Cavs drafted Derrick Williams with that second pick.

Just think, the Cavaliers could have an experienced 6-5 point guard in Rubio, and Williams, the best athlete in the draft. A big point guard and a great athlete at forward are two commodities highly valued on any team.

So if none of this happens, the Cavaliers will more than likely draft point guard Kyrie Irving at number one and 6-11 Enes Kanter at number four. Irving is considered the best player in this weak draft and Kanter is considered the best big man.

"If the Cavs feel like Derrick Williams can develop into an elite SF/PF, then I would welcome trading up, but Kanter has blown scouts away with his skill set, strength and stamina. So if we get him at 4, it could be just as good." - peedeezee

View full sizeAP Photo | Rick Bowmer, FileWill Enes Kanter end up in a Cavaliers' uniform?

In response to the story Turkish center Enes Kanter one of the biggest mysteries for Cleveland Cavaliers in upcoming NBA draft, cleveland.com reader peedeezee thinks Enes Kanter would be a solid choice at No. 4. This reader writes,

"If the Cavs feel like Derrick Williams can develop into an elite SF/PF, then I would welcome trading up, but Kanter has blown scouts away with his skill set, strength and stamina. So if we get him at 4, it could be just as good."

"My nightmare is Vickers signing with Pittsburgh or Baltimore. The last thing I want to see is Vickers leading a runner into the hole twice a year and, trust me, it's the last thing that our linebackers want to see, too." - bsvr

View full sizeTracy Boulian | The Plain DealerLawrence Vickers became a fan favorite during his time in Cleveland.

In response to the story Cleveland Browns taking conservative approach to free agency, says GM Tom Heckert, cleveland.com reader bsvr hopes Lawrence Vickers doesn't end up with a division rival. This reader writes,

"My nightmare is Vickers signing with Pittsburgh or Baltimore. The last thing I want to see is Vickers leading a runner into the hole twice a year and, trust me, it's the last thing that our linebackers want to see, too."

Cord Phelps, promoted from Class AAA Columbus on Tuesday night, will make his major-league debut at second base today when the Indians face the Twins at Progressive Field.

Chuck Crow / The Plain DealerCord Phelps will be in the starting lineup for the Indians today. Shelley Duncan was sent down to Columbus to make room.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Newest Indian Cord Phelps will be part of a platoon at second base with struggling veteran Orlando Cabrera -- at least for the time being.

Phelps, a switch-hitter, was promoted from Class AAA Columbus on Tuesday night and officially joined the Tribe on Wednesday. He makes his major-league debut at second base and bats seventh against the Twins and right-hander Carl Pavano.

Phelps also can play third and short, but he was drafted as a second baseman in the third round out of Stanford in 2008.

"The kid's going to get an opportunity to play, and we're going to have to see if he'll take advantage of it,'' Indians manager Manny Acta said. "For now, he's going to play second base, and we're going to give him the opportunity to play the majority of times against right-handed pitching.

"Orlando's been there, done that. You can't rule out Orlando coming back and playing every day. But this kid deserved a shot based on the way he's played the last two years at Columbus.''

Phelps, 24, was hitting .299 in 55 games for the Clippers. Last season, he hit .317 in 66 games for them after being promoted from Class AA Akron.

Cabrera, signed as a free agent in the offseason, hit .283 in April but has faded.  He hit .230 in May and is at .143 (3-for-21) in June.

Cabrera is hitting .246 overall, 228 against righties.

"Orlando understands what's going on,'' Acta said. "He took (the news) very well, as well as he could. He was very professional. Obviously, he's disappointed because that's human nature. He's a competitor and always has been an every-day player.

"Nobody's saying he's not going to be an every-day player again. This is not a done deal. Orlando's still going to get playing time against left-handers and some right-handed pitchers, too.''

Just to be clear, Acta said: "It's very early. This is not a slam dunk.''

Phelps needed to be added to the 40-man roster. The Indians optioned Shelley Duncan, who hit .222 in 29 games, to Columbus and transferred righty Alex White from the 15- to the 60-day disabled list.

Duncan is well-respected in the clubhouse, but he had not been swinging the bat well recently and had options.

Closer Chris Perez tweeted: "Sad to hear the news about Shelley Duncan, great teammate.''

In Tuesday's 1-0 victory over the Twins, Duncan drove in the run with a grounder.

"We're only facing two left-handers over the next almost two weeks, so it makes a lot more sense for us to keep a left-handed batter or send Shelley down, because that's where his playing time comes in -- against lefties,'' Acta said. "He handed it very well. He understands his role. I'm anticipating he'll be back. He's been part of what we've done here and hopefully be part of what's coming.''

Phelps was told he is coming to Cleveland after the Clippers' 5-1 victory over Rochester on Tuesday night in Columbus. He arrived in town about 2 a.m. and checked into a hotel.

"I haven't gotten much sleep,'' he said in the clubhouse before the game, "but I don't think it's going to be a problem. I'll rely on adrenaline to carry me.''

Phelps was in a 5-for-27 slide at the time of the promotion.

"It's one of those things that happens with the ups and downs of baseball,'' he said.

Phelps has played predominantly shortstop for the Clippers this season because Jason Kipnis is at second and Lonnie Chisenhall is at third. Phelps also has played second and third and been the designated hitter.

At 9 a.m., Phelps admitted he was nervous.

"But nerves are a good thing,'' Phelps said. "There would be something wrong if I didn't have any.''

Among the first to greet Phelps in the clubhouse were Indians General Manager Chris Antonetti and Orlando Cabrera.

"Kudos to Carlos Carrasco - I've now seen enough that, if he can continue to display competitiveness is in his makeup, he's got the ability to be a good ML starter. Carrasco has what Josh Tomlin doesn't - a big-league fastball that he spots along with a curve and changeup. He's got a Major League arm. Not dominant, but the type of arm that is durable and, with his ability to change speeds and hit a low 90s fastball, he can be very effective." - randyosu

View full sizeCarlos Carrasco has shown some signs that he can develop in to a quality starter this season.

In response to the story Carlos Carrasco cruises as Cleveland Indians end 5-game losing streak with 1-0 win over Twins, cleveland.com reader randyosu thinks Carlos Carrasco could develop in to a quality starter. This reader writes,

"Kudos to Carlos Carrasco - I've now seen enough that, if he can continue to display competitiveness is in his makeup, he's got the ability to be a good ML starter. Carrasco has what Josh Tomlin doesn't - a big-league fastball that he spots along with a curve and changeup. He's got a Major League arm. Not dominant, but the type of arm that is durable and, with his ability to change speeds and hit a low 90s fastball, he can be very effective."

Has LeBron James returned to his Game 5 Eastern Conference Finals form?

APLeBron James

LeBron James was held to single digits for the first time in 89 playoffs game when he finished with eight points in Game 4 of the NBA Finals.

It was so bad that LePippen James went scoreless on one shot in the fourth quarter on Tuesday. James has been the invisible man so far in the Finals when it comes to the fourth quarter. He's averaging 2.8 points in the final quarter for the series.

It wasn't like Dallas was playing spectacular defense on James on Tuesday. He simply took himself out of the offense, as Dwyane Wade gave a championship effort for the Heat. At times, James would stand on the perimeter and watch the action.

Has James gone back to his ways of Game 5 against Boston in the Eastern Conference semifinals last year? Or did James just have a bad game?

Ohio State was aware of autograph issues, but may not have caught a potential problem with Terrelle Pryor.

Doug Lesmerises, The Plain DealerTerrelle Pryor signs autographs for fans after his first career victory against Troy in 2008.

COLUMBUS, Ohio - The latest allegations involving Terrelle Pryor getting between $20,000 and $40,000 to autograph mini-helmets and other Buckeyes gear during his Ohio State career, according to an ESPN Outside the Lines story, may be the most serious accusation yet against the OSU program.
 
Ohio State has been dealing with an autograph problem for years, attempting to rectify it by shutting down free autograph access for fans.

A free autograph night during August practice was eliminated. Players who used to be able to sign autographs at events like the annual alumni banquet in Cleveland were told not to do it anymore. Pryor himself last season started passing out photo cards provided to him by the university instead of signing autographs after games. 

Free autograph opportunities were limited, though other Buckeyes typically signed as much as they could after games for fans pressed against the gate outside the locker room at Ohio Stadium.

And then there's the autograph circuit at the end of the season, which players who are done playing at Ohio State hit every year after their bowl game and before the NFL Draft. That routine, traveling to malls and memorabilia stores around the state, can net players thousands of dollars, all without penalty. Those Buckeyes are done playing, no longer under the watch of the NCAA and free to make money as they choose.

Going on for years, that circuit is a well-oiled machine. If that world, allowable in that situation, crept into the lives of current players, it certainly seems possible. That's basically what the ESPN story alleges with Pryor, and potentially with other Buckeyes of the past.

That's a world that Ohio State is very aware of. And if the school failed to keep tabs on it as it dealt with active players, that would be a major problem.

Like the Sports Illustrated story last week, this ESPN story deals with an anonymous source. While the SI story alleged improprieties by as many as 28 past and current Buckeyes, with the parents of some current players disputing their sons' involvement, this story names only Pryor at the moment, but in a very specific way.

As we've said before, anything alleged in a news story must be investigated and proven by the NCAA before it becomes a real issue for Ohio State. The world of tattoos which started this problem for Ohio State last December is an area where potentially the school may not have had expertise. While the compliance office talked to area restaurants and stores about not giving players extra benefits, it only added tattoo parlors to that list recently.

But Ohio State knows all about autographs and the seller's market and the problems they can create for a player and a program. Not having a handle on what may have been going on there would be tougher to explain away.

As always, what Ohio State as a program is looking to avoid is a lack of institutional control or a failure to monitor, charges that can lead to severe NCAA sanctions like scholarship losses and bowl bans.  In ruling on the USC case, the NCAA said the school had a greater responsibility to keep tabs on a superstar like Reggie Bush, and that same idea would apply to Ohio State here.

Terrelle Pryor, autographs and a known member of the autograph world would be a potentially toxic combination. If Ohio State wasn't on top of that, and it was a real problem, watch out.   

Plain Dealer Cavs writer also weighs in on why Kobe Bryant won't talk about new Lakers coach Mike Brown. Watch video

Welcome to today's edition of Starting Blocks TV, hosted by Branson Wright and Chuck Yarborough.

How would the Cavaliers look if they drafted rookies Enes Kanter and Kyrie Irving and put them in the lineup? Or would you rather see them try to make a deal with Minnesota for point guard Ricky Rubio and then draft Arizona's Derrick Williams? That's the question in today's Starting Blocks poll.

Today's guest on SBTV, Plain Dealer Cavaliers writer Mary Schmitt Boyer, took time out of a round of golf on her off day to chat with Chuck and Branson. Among the many reasons she doesn't see Rubio in a Cavs uniform, she says there's no way Minnesota would give up Rubio after spending months trying to get him to the NBA from Europe.

Mary also talks about her story today on Turkey's Kanter and what he would bring to the Cavaliers; LeBron James' lackluster performance in Tuesday night's Game 4 loss to the Dallas Mavericks; and about Kobe Bryant refusing to comment about new Lakers coach Mike Brown.

SBTV returns on Thursday.

How did the Indians do in the draft's first two days? How will Cord Phelps and Orlando Cabrera split time? Plain Dealer Indians beat writer Paul Hoynes answered those questions and more in his weekly podcast.

View full sizeChuck Crow | The Plain DealerCord Phelps joined the Indians today.

How did the Indians do in the draft's first two days? How will Cord Phelps and Orlando Cabrera split time?

Plain Dealer Indians beat writer Paul Hoynes answered those questions and more in his weekly podcast.

Among other topics discussed:

• Can the Indians get their top draft picks signed?

• Are there more call-ups on the horizon?

• Does Carlos Carrasco have the potential to develop in to a top-of-the-rotation starter?

• Will this young team start to feel the pressure if Detroit continues to play well?

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

Writers chime in on Terrelle Pryor's departure.

APTerrelle Pryor

Terrelle Pryor announced on Tuesday that he will forgo his senior season at Ohio State. The announcement wasn't a big surprise, but many columnist from around the country weighed in on Pryor's decision and his career at Ohio State.

Thayer Evans of FoxSports.com writes how Pryor has always had his mind on one thing ---- himself.

And while some may foolishly believe Pryor’s statement Tuesday that his decision to forgo his senior year at scandal-ridden Ohio State was out of “the best interests of my teammates,” the truth is that he did it out of selfishness. He did it only to escape being investigated by the NCAA and to try to salvage what’s left of his bleak future.

Sadly, just like Ohio State made sure that Pryor could play in January’s Sugar Bowl and not serve his five-game suspension for him swapping memorabilia with a Columbus tattoo parlor owner, it once again did him a favor by allowing him to depart on his own terms.

Pryor's departure is a good thing

Terrelle Pryor's decision to forgo his senior year is a good thing for the Buckeyes, writes SI.com's Andy Staples, because he doesn't plan to play another college game, Pryor can give NCAA investigators a one-fingered salute if they knock on his door.

He doesn't have to say a word to them. Without Pryor's attempts to explain how so much Buckeyes equipment wound up on the market with his signature affixed or how he wound up with a fresh ride every few months during his time at Ohio State, the investigators might hit dead ends as they try to determine whether Ohio State lacked control of its football program.

Tainted legacy

Terrelle Pryor leaves Ohio State not with memories of his 31-4 record, but with memories that he helped possibly kill a program.

ESPN.com writes:

He might go to Canada, where the bigger field will be to his advantage. If he's as selfless as his statement Tuesday indicated, he ought to make time to deliver a long, heartfelt apology to Ohio State fans. It's not much, but it would be something.

 

Around the web

Fox Sports Ohio: Disappointment reigns with departure.

Ohio.com: Pryor saved himself from boos.

Dayton Daily News: Departure no surprise.

Lorain Morning Journal: Pryor leaves his mark at OSU.

Columbus Dispatch: Pryor brought baggage to Columbus.

Whew! That's over. Now, can the Tribe follow up on Carlos Carrasco's 1-0 gem and win another one against the Twins?

View full sizeAssociated PressIndians pitcher Josh Tomlin, left, high fives Tuesday's winning pitcher, Carlos Carrasco, who beat the Twins 1-0 to end the Tribe's five-game losing streak.

Cleveland, Ohio -- We sorta feel like Nuke Laloosh, workin' on our cliches, but ... we know you can't hit a five-run homer, it's a long season, you win some, yada yada yada. But there's another cliche that could be appropriate: Every journey begins with the first step.

The Indians were floundering. Ain't no other word fer it.

Personal aside: We say that with apologies to our eighth grade grammar teacher, Miss Emily Simms, who favored tortoise shell glasses and lace collars. Rumor had it she once smiled, but as no one had any photographic proof, this was not believed, much like LeBron James' "apology."

But we digress.

The Tribe, as Plain Dealer beat writer Paul Hoynes noted in his game story, got a fantastic pitching performance from Carlos Carrasco, a fly ball pitcher who uncharacteristically got most of his outs on grounders, to beat the Twins, 1-0 last night.

That's the first step in that journey, now it's up to right-handed pitcher Justin Masterson to move the next foot forward. Masterson is 5-4 with a 3.28 ERA, but he could and really should have a better winning record. If Josh Tomlin has been the Tribe's best pitcher -- and until lately, he has -- Masterson has been his only rival for the crown.

Indians manager Manny Acta believes that one good game can be all it takes to turn around a losing streak. Whether last night's win will do that depends on Masterson and his Tribe teammates. But certainly you can't win two in a row until you've won ONE in a row.

The Akron Beacon-Journal's Sheldon Ocker got the Indians skipper to pontificate on the situation:

During the past two weeks, the Tribe has sometimes pitched well, played solid defense and even hit respectably, but not all at the same time.

''I believe you have to have one good game overall,'' Indians manager Manny Acta said when asked whether a single victory could turn the tide. ''We played very good defense a couple of days ago and still didn't win. You need to play a good game overall and go from there.''