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With playoffs looming, Cleveland Gladiators looking for a few good men for offensive line

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The Gladiators will play their final regular-season game Friday -- and try to scrounge up enough players for their offensive line, too.

rocco-qb-glads-slides-horiz-gc.jpgView full sizeRookie Gladiators QB Kurt Rocco needs his inexperienced linemen to mesh quickly -- or otherwise he's likely to spend a fair amount of time on the artificial turf of The Q on Friday.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Typically, the final game of the Arena League regular season is reserved for resting starters while still maintaining momentum heading into the playoffs.

Or in the case of the Cleveland Gladiators, it can be used to determine who will play on the offensive line -- and then crossing fingers that it somehow all works out.

Because of key injuries and key departures, the Gladiators are down to starting two third-string lineman for Friday's regular-season finale against the Utah Blaze at The Q. The veteran leader of the group, center Michael Ward, has played all of one game.

"It's very unusual," coach Steve Thonn admitted Wednesday. "I've never been involved in something like this where I've had such uncertainty."

What the Gladiators know for certain is they have wrapped up the East Division championship, and will host either the Georgia Force or Orlando Predators on July 31 in the playoffs. But when it comes to the three-player offensive line, Thonn and the Gladiators are in a state of flux.

Two starters who began the season -- Billy Eisenhardt and Calvin Wilson -- have been lost to injuries. Another, Adam Tadisch, departed the team for another league.

Now the former veteran of the group with four games under his belt, Jeff Maddux, will sit out Friday's contest because he anticipates signing with an NFL team as soon as the league's labor dispute is resolved. He'll join two other Gladiators on the bench, as receiver Troy Bergeron (Dallas) and tight end Cliff Louis (Arizona) also await their NFL recall.

Bergeron's loss will be felt in the scoreboard, as he leads the team with 30 receiving touchdowns. Louis' absence makes an already thin offensive line that much more porous. Lineman Nate Tucker, who signed with the Gladiators on July 6 and has been inactive for two games, is expected to start on one side of Ward.

On the other?

"Honestly, we don't know who's going to play the other side," Thonn said. "We can move one of our fullbacks down, but then we don't have a back-up anywhere."

Not to mention that the primary objective against Utah -- keeping rookie quarterback Kurt Rocco injury free -- will become more difficult.

"We're all grown men, it's not like we need to hang out and get to know each other and sit and be friends on the practice field," Rocco said. "Whoever plays, I'm going to work with it."

Rocco is coming off one of his best games, a 67-55 victory over the Pittsburgh Power. He completed 25 of 35 passes for 297 yards and eight touchdowns, and was named the league's Offensive Player of the Week.

"He has a really good grasp of the offense now, and he's done a really good job of knowing what I want; we're definitely on the same page," Thonn said. "He also does a lot better job of getting rid of the ball quicker. He's still a very good scrambler, that's a weapon for us, too. But sometimes it's better to throw it away, and he knows when to do that."

One of Rocco's primary targets might be Thyron Lewis, who is returning from four games on the injured reserve and is expected to replace Bergeron's production. Lewis averaged 12.9 yards per reception in 12 games this season.

First, the Gladiators have to make sure Rocco has enough time to throw. That means rebuilding the offensive line. The team is likely to sign at least one more lineman, but whoever fills in will have to figure out the system quickly.

"I want to make sure Kurt stays healthy, so we'll try to make it as simple as we can," Thonn said. "We might struggle a lot this week, but next week we'll be ready."


Former Cleveland Indians ace Bert Blyleven plans to relish his induction into baseball's Hall of Fame

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The former Indians pitcher built a career on one of baseball's meanest curveballs and the reputation as a clubhouse practical joker.

alomar-blyleven-hof-horiz-ap.jpgView full size"To me, it's a day of saying thank you, thanking all of the people who mentored me," incoming Hall of Fame pitcher Bert Blyleven (right, with fellow 2011 inductee Roberto Alomar) about Sunday's induction ceremonies in Cooperstown, N.Y. Blyleven won 287 regular-season games in a career that included four and a half seasons with the Indians.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- After Bert Blyleven got the word in January he was finally voted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame, he put a notepad by the bed to scribble ideas for an induction speech.

"I already know my first line: 'Are we live?'" he said. "I'm going to have some fun with it."

Blyleven, 60, now a television color analyst for the Minnesota Twins, for whom he pitched 11 of his 22 major-league seasons, built a career on one of baseball's meanest curveballs and the reputation as a clubhouse practical joker.

"I'd like to light your shoes on fire right now if I could," he said during a recent interview in the visitors' TV booth at Progressive Field.

But when Blyleven took the mound, it was no joke.

"You knew when he stepped between the lines it was all business," said former Indians centerfielder Rick Manning, who played with and against Blyleven. "You knew you were going to get a good performance."

Rik Aalbert Blyleven was a quiet Dutch boy when he first took the mound for the Twins just two months after his 19th birthday. Jim Kaat, who anchored a formidable starting staff that included Jim Perry and Luis Tiant, said he still remembers Twins owner Calvin Griffith boasting the year before about a kid with the best curveball he'd seen since Camilo Pascual. (By the way, Perry, Tiant and Pascual were all Indians at one time as well.)

Kaat remembers Blyleven's first start. After giving up a lead-off homer to outfielder Lee Maye, he allowed only four more hits and struck out seven in seven innings to beat the Washington Senators, 2-1, on June 5, 1970.

"His approach was very simple," said Kaat, now with the MLB Network. "It was just fastball, curveball and if he had command of that curveball, he was going to be tough to beat."

By the time Blyleven retired in 1992, after 685 starts with five teams including the Indians, the two-time All-Star had amassed 287 wins, was fifth all-time with 3,701 strikeouts and ninth all-time with 60 shutouts.

And the Dutchman wasn't quiet anymore.

"He wasn't afraid of anything," said former Indians catcher Ron Hassey, now a minor-league manager for the Florida Marlins. "Just went right after the hitters."



Blyleven pitched for the Tribe from 1981 through July of '85, representing the Indians in the '85 All-Star Game before being traded back to Minnesota. When he arrived in a trade with Pittsburgh, Manning gave up his No. 28 in deference to the 6-3, 200-pound right-hander, who, by then, was among the game's elite pitchers.

Blyleven lived in Rocky River while with the Indians. Thirty years later, he remembers the Crazy Horse and another strip joint in the Flats called the Circus, but that not much else was happening downtown at the time.

He remembers playing with "a great bunch of guys," -- Manning, Mike Hargrove and Lenny Barker, Rick Sutcliffe, Toby Harrah, Duane Kuiper and Joe Charboneau.

And he remembers not a lot of wins.

"We had some really good players, but we didn't click on the field," said Blyleven, who will be inducted Sunday after 14 frustrating years of eligibility. "We had good pitching, not the best defense, not the best offense. [Then] we traded some of the guys away, like Sutcliffe and Barker. All of a sudden, we had good offense, pretty good defense, but then we had no pitching. So it just never really clicked together as far as what it takes to win."

The Indians of '83 fielded a respectable starting staff with Blyleven, Sutcliffe, Barker and Lary Sorensen. They still managed to lose 92 games, while Blyleven went 7-10 and injured his shoulder.

But the following year, in his final full season with the Tribe, Blyleven was 19-7 with a 2.87 ERA for a sixth-place team. He averaged nearly eight innings per start -- a trademark throughout his career.

The man was a workhorse. He pitched 242 complete games, and his 4,970 1/3 innings rank 13th all-time. Today, pitchers who complete eight or nine games in a season are considered doing well. Philadelphia's 34-year-old ace Roy Halladay, for instance, leads the majors with 64 career complete games.

"The emphasis on complete games and pitch count -- we never had that," Blyleven said. "The hitters usually let us know, the opposing team let us know when we were done. I don't like the way the game has gone. They baby the pitchers way too much."

Not that Blyleven's father, Joe, didn't do the same with his son. His dad worked as a bumper straightener after uprooting his young family from Holland to the United States by way of Canada in the late '50s. Blyleven was two when the family left Holland and six when it settled in Southern California, where an uncle lived.

He and his dad loved the Los Angeles Dodgers and listened to legendary Vin Scully and the late Jerry Doggett call the games. Blyleven said he actually learned to throw a curveball by listening to the announcers describe how Sandy Koufax threw his -- but not until his father gave him the OK.

"Koufax said if he ever had a son he wouldn't let him throw a curveball until he was about 13 or 14 years old, and that stuck with my dad," said Blyleven, who started playing as a 10-year-old catcher.

"My dad told me in his Dutch accent, 'Gosh darn it, you're not throwing a curveball until you're 13 or 14,'" he said, "and I didn't."



Blyleven, who had a baseball in his hand any chance he could growing up, learned to throw strikes against a block wall. He held his curveball like Bob Feller -- across the seams.

"It was never anything that damaged my arm whatsoever for 22 years," he said.

Still, Blyleven had elbow surgery in 1981, and the injury flared up again in his fourth start the following year with the Indians. He was just 2-2 and shelved for the season. But it wasn't the curveball that tore fibers in the elbow, he said. It was from pitching too much too soon after the '81 strike.

"To me," he said, "it was more off the fastball."

Radar guns weren't as prevalent at the time, but Blyleven figures his fastball fluctuated between 91 and 94 miles per hour. Not that speed mattered much.

"I never looked at how hard. That wasn't important to me," he said. "Importance to me was location of that pitch."

Almost as important was a well-timed gag, although a lot of those he pulled on teammates weren't fit to print, he admitted.

"He was the kind of guy," said Barker, "who, if you threw your chewing tobacco on the ground, he'd pick it up and put it in his mouth. He was a great guy in the clubhouse. He kept everybody loose."

It was an approach to life Blyleven says he inherited from his father, a man who, despite working a routine job, always seemed to save a joke for the family dinner table and was just a happy man, period.

In 2004, he lost his dad after a 20-year battle with Parkinson's disease, a neurodegenerative brain disorder he and his wife, Gayle, now raise money to fight.

Blyleven, a two-time World Series champion, was openly critical of Hall of Fame voters after continually being bypassed. When told this year he was in, he said the baseball writers finally got it right.

Also being inducted on Sunday are former Indians second baseman Roberto Alomar and longtime Toronto GM Pat Gillick. When Blyleven stands at the Hall of Fame podium, he'll be thinking, he said, of his father, legendary Twins teammate and friend Harmon Killebrew, who died in May, and others who guided him and would have been there had he been voted in sooner. But he bares no resentment.

"To me, it's a day of saying thank you, thanking all of the people who mentored me, from my little league coach to my high school coach to when I got to the big leagues at such a young age, Jim Perry, Jim Kaat, kind of taking me under their wings and teaching me the ropes," he said. "I'll have a smile the whole weekend."

Cleveland Indians A.M. Links: Now the Tribe will have to hold off the White Sox; Game stories

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Now the Tribe will try to extend their lead over the Chicago White Sox.

Cleveland Indians beat Red Sox, 3-2Cleveland Indians' manager Manny Acta argues with an ump earlier this season.

The series with the Minnesota Twins is over and now the Tribe will take on another rival in the American League Central in the Chicago White Sox, writes Jon Star of MLB.com.

Having dropped their finale against the Twins on Wednesday, but still tied with the Tigers atop the division, the Indians return home just 4 1/2 games up on the White Sox, a team that they will see plenty of in the second half.

Cleveland, which is 1-4 against the White Sox this year, is off to a 4-4 start in the second half and has seen the AL Central become the most hotly contested division in baseball. While the White Sox, who have lost eight of their last 12, find themselves with an opportunity to shrink their deficit.

In an interview with White Sox first baseman Paul Konerko, he tells MLB that it's getting to that point in the season where all of the games are big.

"Obviously, they don't count any more than the ones in April -- all the games count the same -- but if you're the team chasing, which we are right now, you only have so many cracks at the teams in front of you. You want to try and control your own destiny and not let it be where you have to play well and have other teams beat teams for you."

 

 

Game stories

Cleveland.com: Twins rally late to victory.

MLB.com: Tribe can't finish off Twins.

Ohio.com: Poor defense leads to loss.

Star Tribune: Twins on a roll.

NFL: No more two-a-days is wimpy, says Bart Scott of Jets. Poll

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No more two-a-days means a wimpy league says player.

bart.jpgBart Scott

Quick. Find a leather helmet and get rid of the mouth piece when it comes to football for New York Jets linebacker Bart Scott.

He is a true throwback when it comes to football. You don't think so? Well Scott recalls enduring three-a-day practices when he was in college, writes reporter Jenny Vrentas of NJ.com. So the news that the NFL may eliminate two-a-day practices in training camp did not sit well with him.

"I think it’s wimping out; making football more soft," Scott said today at TEST Sports Clubs

 "I get concerned you're making football players weaker because you don’t push them past that threshold. ... I get concerned with the same thing with the quarterback stuff, that they turn it into flag football; they turn it into little pansy stuff."

So are you with Scott? Or should he be happy that the league and players want safety when it comes to their game?

 







Time for Indians to turn to Kipnis - Comment of the Day

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"I hope they finally bring Kipnis up for the Chicago series this weekend. They can't get things done offensively with this current roster and Kipnis would be an immediate improvement over O-Cab. A quick glance at O-Cab's BA, OBP and SLG over the last three months is enough to prove that point." - ohiobobcat3

jason-kipnis-grounder.JPGView full sizeJason Kipnis has been having a strong year with AAA Columbus.

In response to the story Twins rally late again to beat Cleveland Indians, 7-5, split 4-game series, cleveland.com reader ohiobobcat3 thinks the Indians need to call up Jason Kipnis. This reader writes,

"I hope they finally bring Kipnis up for the Chicago series this weekend. They can't get things done offensively with this current roster and Kipnis would be an immediate improvement over O-Cab. A quick glance at O-Cab's BA, OBP and SLG over the last three months is enough to prove that point."

To respond to ohiobobcat3's comment, go here.

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

Who wins and who loses in NFL's labor deal? - Browns Comment of the Day

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"In this deal, everyone wins - unless you're a fan - or Canton." - LakeErieSeaGulls

hall-of-fame-game.JPGView full sizeThe annual Hall of Fame game at Fawcett Stadium is in danger of not happening this season.

In response to the story Pro Football Hall of Fame holding breath on fate of annual game as NFL lockout continues, cleveland.com reader LakeErieSeaGulls thinks the labor deal will ultimately be good - for players and owners. This reader writes,

"In this deal, everyone wins - unless you're a fan - or Canton."

To respond to unc09's comment, go here.

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

Cleveland Browns run-through might be an alternative to a too hasty Hall of Fame game, Terry Pluto says

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A Browns practice and autograph booths would be a nice substitute if the NFL rules Chicago and St. Louis aren't physically ready to play the Hall of Fame game in Canton on Aug. 7, writer Terry Pluto suggests. Watch video


Welcome to today's edition of SBTV, hosted by the dapper Branson Wright and the, well, not-so-dapper Chuck Yarborough.

Today's guest is Plain Dealer columnist Terry Pluto, who comes up with a pretty novel idea for the Hall of Fame game set for Aug. 7 in Canton: The four-month lockout means no one has been able to offer those so-called optional Organized Team Activities. That includes the St. Louis Rams and the Chicago Bears, who are supposed to play in that game.

So Terry's idea is that rather than rush unprepared (and most likely out of shape) players into a game situation, why not let the Cleveland Browns swing down to Canton and maybe do a run-through practice at Fawcett Stadium? Then Cleveland -- and Chicago and St. Louis, if they choose, can offer autograph booths or whatever just to get fans re-involved in the league.

It makes too much sense for the NFL to consider, but heck, WE like it.

Terry also defended his Tuesday column, which noted that linebacker is the team's No. 1 need in free agency, and said that while the receiving corps may not be a strength, at least there IS one on the roster. And it's one that can and will benefit from the West Coast offense new coach Pat Shurmur is installing.

Branson and Chuck also got Terry to weigh in on today's Starting Blocks poll, which asks whether the NFL is "wimping out," as Jets linebacker Bart Scott said, by considering an end to two-a-day practices. For the record, all three of our guys endorse two-a-days. Also for the record, none of our guys has to do 'em.

Tune in Friday for another SBTV installment of writer Tony Grossi's "Hey, Tony!" feature in which he answers Browns fans' questions.

Cleveland Indians CF Grady Sizemore has successful abdominal surgery today

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Grady Sizemore had successful surgery today.

Grady SizemoreGrady Sizemore

Staff Reports

CLEVELAND, OH - Cleveland Indians OF Grady Sizemore today underwent abdominal surgery in Philadelphia. The 20-minute procedure to address a sports hernia was performed by Dr. William Meyers. Recovery from this procedure is 4-to-6 weeks.

Grady Sizemore:

"The injury which resulted in today's surgery has been bothering me since the slide in May. Knowing the two areas are related and also learning my knee condition is not serious gives me peace of mind going forward that I can finish the season healthy and help contribute to an exciting pennant chase."

Sizemore left last Sunday's game in Baltimore with a right knee injury, suffered while running out a double. It was later diagnosed as a knee contusion. An injury to the same knee in May put him on the disabled list.

Sizemore is hitting .237 on the season.

 

 

 


NFL owners meet to discuss - and maybe vote on - deal

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NFL owners met Thursday to discuss — and possibly vote on — a tentative deal to end the lockout that began in March.

Scott FujitaCleveland Browns linebacker Scott Fujita leaves the NFL Players Association, Wednesday, July 20, 2011, in Washington, as talks to end the NFL lockout continued. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

ATLANTA -- NFL owners met Thursday to discuss — and possibly vote on — a tentative deal to end the lockout that began in March.

"I'm optimistic that we'll get approval," Falcons owner Arthur Blank said on his way into the session at a hotel near Atlanta's airport. "My understanding is that the owners will have the opportunity to ratify the agreement today, even if the players do not approve it today."

Commissioner Roger Goodell was at Thursday's session. The league has said it hopes to have a final agreement with players ready for ratification Thursday. At least 24 of 32 owners would need to OK the deal. If it's passed by both sides, team executives would be schooled later Thursday and Friday in Atlanta on the deal's guidelines and how to apply them; topics would include the 2011 NFL calendar, rookie salary system and new free agency rules.

Players had been expected to vote Wednesday on a full proposal to settle the labor dispute, but they did not.

A person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press there was agreement among player representatives from all 32 clubs on what items needed to be resolved before any offer would be accepted. A second person, also speaking on condition of anonymity because the talks are supposed to be secret, said those players gave what was termed "conditional approval" of the proposal — as it stood Wednesday.

Even after all acceptable terms are established, a deal would lead to a collective bargaining agreement only if NFL Players Association team reps recommend re-establishing the group as a union, which must be approved by a majority vote of the 1,900 players. Those votes probably would be done by conference call.

In March, when talks broke down and the old CBA expired, the NFLPA said it was dissolving itself as a union and instead becoming a trade association, a move that allowed Tom Brady and other players to sue the league under antitrust law. Only a union can sign off on a CBA.

"We still have a lot of work to do," said Pro Bowl offensive lineman Tyson Clabo, who played for the Atlanta Falcons last season.

After the owners' labor committee met Wednesday, NFL general counsel Jeff Pash said the sides would keep talking in hopes of finalizing a deal that is expected to last 10 years, although even that was not 100 percent certain as of Wednesday evening.

"It's obviously a complicated agreement, but I think both sides are at the point where they can close, they should close, and we should be in a position to take votes," said Pash, the owners' lead negotiator.

Remaining issues are believed to include how to set aside three pending court cases: The players' antitrust lawsuit against the NFL in federal court in Minnesota; the TV networks case, in which players accused owners of setting up $4 billion in "lockout insurance," money that the league would receive even if there were no games played in 2011; and a collusion case, in which players said owners conspired to restrict salaries last offseason.

Ten players — including quarterbacks Brady, Peyton Manning and Drew Brees, Chargers receiver Vincent Jackson and Patriots guard Logan Mankins — filed their antitrust suit March 11. That was the day the country's most popular sports league was thrown into limbo, and the owners locked out players hours later.

Also under discussion are how workman's compensation claims will be resolved and the players' demand that the NFL turn over $320 million in unpaid benefits from the 2010 season. Because there was no salary cap that season, the old CBA said NFL teams were not required to pay those benefits.

"I think that's the healthy outcome: to have a complete, comprehensive, global agreement that settles all the disputes and puts us on a path where we are going forward together as business partners, the way it should be, rather that going forward with one hand and fighting over something that should be in the past," Pash said.

If the four-month lockout — the NFL's first work stoppage since 1987 — is going to end in time to keep the preseason completely intact, the players and owners almost certainly must ratify the deal this week. The St. Louis Rams and Chicago Bears are scheduled to open the preseason Aug. 7 in the Hall of Fame game.

Asked Wednesday night whether that exhibition game will be played, Pash replied: "It would be pretty challenging."


Better odds for duck, deer hunts: Outdoors Notebook

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The long odds to draw a permit for the best duck and deer hunts managed by the Ohio Division of Wildlife might be slightly better this year. Sportsmen must apply for the lottery before July 31.

Duck HuntingA new rule requires applicants to purchase a hunting license before applying for the computer lottery.

The long odds to draw a permit for the best duck and deer hunts managed by the Ohio Division of Wildlife might be slightly better this year. Sportsmen must apply for the lottery before July 31.

A new rule requires applicants to purchase a hunting license before applying for the computer lottery. That could exclude some applicants who are friends or family of avid hunters, and apply for the special hunts to pass them along. More changes are needed to spread out the hunts.

Some states hold a lottery for permits to hunt certain big game, and give unsuccessful applicants a better chance in subsequent years. Ohio should do the same, especially for prime controlled deer hunts at the NASA/Plumbrook facility in Sandusky. There the odds are 31-to-1 to be drawn for a deer gun hunt, and 38-1 for an archery deer hunt. Last year, 13,294 hunters applied and 408 were chosen.

It costs $3 to apply online for a hunt at wildohio.com. If you want to do it the old-fashioned way, call 1-800- WILDLIFE today to be sent a mail-in application. No faxes or email applications are accepted.

The deer hunt for adults at the Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge has the longest odds at 110-to-1. The 3,801 applicants last year were chasing a meager 28 permits. The hunts for the mobility-impaired at Ottawa (8-1), Killdeer Plains (4-1) and Castalia (5-1) were the easiest to score. The most popular duck site has been the Magee Marsh Wildlife Area, closed to regular-season controlled hunts this fall because of renovations. There are 19 controlled deer hunts and 10 controlled waterfowl hunts.

Hunters can send postcards for separate drawings for early-season, opening-day teal hunts at the Pickerel Creek Wildlife Area, and the area’s opening day of the regular waterfowl season. An on-site drawing is Aug. 18 for early-season goose and teal hunts, and regular-season waterfowl hunts for the Pipe Creek Wildlife Area. An Aug. 20 drawing is at Magee Marsh for early teal and goose seasons.

Check wildohio.com for details, or call 1-800- WILDLIFE.

Walleye did hatch: After the wild and crazy spring weather, few thought Lake Erie walleye could pull off any semblance of a hatch. Wind and waves rocked Lake Erie and caused flood conditions on spawning rivers. Lake Erie fisheries supervisor Jeff Tyson said the Division of Wildlife’s bottom trawls have been a surprise, with walleye fry showing up around the Lake Erie Islands in recent weeks, and off Cedar Point in shallow water.

“We don’t think it’s going to be a boomer hatch, but we didn’t expect much,” Tyson said. “But we didn’t think 2003 was going to be much of a walleye hatch, either, but it was outstanding. It’s real early to judge this hatch. Wait until our trawl survey results are compiled in September.”

State fair for outdoorsmen: The Ohio State Fair opens Wednesday, and the 8-acre Natural Resources Park is a big part of the Columbus show. Native wildlife, including bald eagles, bobcats, wild turkeys and beavers, are featured at the 12-day fair. The kids’ fishing pond is stocked with bluegill and catfish, there is a 7,000 square-foot kayaking pond, butterfly garden, tall-grass prairie, educational pavilion, historic log cabin and camping village.

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


NFL Lockout A.M. Links: Cleveland Browns are eager to return to the field; Josh Cribbs tells fans to remain patient; No Hall of Fame game

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The lockout has put the Browns behind in the classroom.

ben watson.JPGBrowns tight end Ben Watson.

Nate Ulrich of Ohio.com writes the longer the NFL’s lockout lasts, the more the Browns players will get behind when it comes to learn the new West Coast offense and a 4-3 defense.

The labor dispute has robbed them of valuable time that they could have used to install those systems.

“We have a big learning curve,” Browns tight end Benjamin Watson said Thursday morning after hosting a youth football clinic at Memorial Junior High School in South Euclid. “We’ve got a lot that we have to overcome just as an offense and even as a defense. We’ve got a whole new coaching staff, so the sooner we get back to it, the better as far as that goes.”

Tight end Ben Watson tells Ohio.com that he’ll be relieved when everything is settled.

“We’ve been away from organized football for six months now, and for most of us, we haven’t been away from organized football for that long since before we started playing,” Watson said. “Even in high school, you had spring practice, so this has been the longest break that any of us has had."

  

   

Cribbs possible deal

Josh Cribbs of the Cleveland Browns tells fans in this video that the process to end the lockout is not over just yet. Cribbs says there are still issues to be resolved.

 

Down the hall

For the first time since 1965, Canton will not hold the Hall of Fame football game. The game was cancelled due to the lockout.

Canton will take a financial hit because the game was cancelled. Chicago Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher wasn't disappointed that game against the Rams will not be played.

“It’s a preseason game. It doesn’t mean anything. So that’s one less chance we have to get people hurt.

“I definitely respect the Hall of Fame and all that stuff, but ... I'm not mad one bit about it being canceled.”

 

 

NFL lockout: Who comes out as the winner? Poll

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Who comes out the real winner if the players sign?

roger goodell Roger Goodell

The owners did their part by approving a proposed 10-year labor agreement with the NFL Players Association on Thursday.

So that means the lockout could end soon.

And if the players sign, and the lockout ends, who comes out the real winner when you look at some of the key issues to an agreement.

• Ten-year deal, through the 2020 season
• New league year would begin on Wednesday
• Players receive 48 percent of revenue in first portion of deal
• $120 million salary cap; team minimum 89 percent ($106.8M) as long as league spends 99 percent ($3.8 billion)
• Veterans earn free agency after fourth season
• Four-year rookie contracts, with team option for fifth year
• Lower rookie salaries, with cap on team spending for rookies
• Later training camps, no more full-contact, two-a-day practices
• Offseason team activities (OTAs) reduced from 14 to 10
 





Cleveland Cavaliers players, LeBron James and other pros highlight Chris Chambers' summer basketball league

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The Chris Chambers Fun Game Classic Summer League has become the premier basketball league Northeast Ohio. Watch video

WARRENSVILLE, Ohio ------ Chris Walker and Ozell Dobbins had no idea a basketball league they developed four years ago would mushroom into the premier summer basketball league in this area.
 
"It's like night and day compared to when we started to where we are now," Walker said.

"The reputation of the league has blown up over the years," Dobbins said. "All of the premier guys want to play in the league."

The Chris Chambers Fun Game Classic is an 11-team league that includes some of the best high school, college and professional players that call Northeast Ohio home. Games are played on Monday and Wednesday nights at the Multi-Plex Arena at 18909 South Miles Road in Warrensville, next door to The Word Church.

The league is named after Chambers, a native of Bedford and a wide receiver for the Kansas City Chiefs, because he's the title sponsor.

david lighty.JPGDavid Lighty

Rosters are filled with players like Cleveland Cavaliers guards Boobie Gibson and Christian Eyenga. Local products like Milwaukee Bucks guard Earl Boykins, Chet Mason and former Ohio State guard David Lighty also play in the league.

Lighty's career will continue overseas in Italy. He leaves next month.

"Playing in Europe will be like a vacation for me," Lighty said. "I get the chance to do what I love by playing basketball and I'll do it overseas. I hope to get a chance in the NBA after playing in Europe. We'll see what happens."

The league received a jolt when Miami's finest, LeBron James, joined an Akron squad with Romeo Travis and Dru Joyce Jr. last week.

One of the best highlights of the game was when James tossed the ball off the backboard followed by his dunk. The response?

Someone yelled from the crowd --- "You didn't do that against Dallas."

The playoffs begin on Monday. Games start at 7 p.m. Admission is free.

Also, Mason will host his annual Help Feed the Hungry basketball game at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, July 26th at Garfield High School. Participating players include J.R. Bremer, Sam Clancy, Mike Gansey and Keith McCloud.

 

Don't put too much pressure on Kipnis - Indians Comment of the Day

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"I have no problem with the Indians promoting Kipnis. Best of fortune to him. But a guy hitting .279 in AAA is not going to ignite the offense as so many here are thinking he will. Let the young man get his feet on the ground, but don't expect him to lead you to the playoffs. That's pressure on him that he doesn't need. He's going to have enough problems adjusting at the Major League level." - rduvall

jason-kipnis-crow.JPGView full sizeJason Kipnis was called up from Columbus on Thursday.

In response to the story Cleveland Indians promote 2B Jason Kipnis, option Luis Valbuena to Class AAA Columbus, cleveland.com reader rduvall hopes expectations aren't too high for Kipnis. This reader writes,

"I have no problem with the Indians promoting Kipnis. Best of fortune to him. But a guy hitting .279 in AAA is not going to ignite the offense as so many here are thinking he will. Let the young man get his feet on the ground, but don't expect him to lead you to the playoffs. That's pressure on him that he doesn't need. He's going to have enough problems adjusting at the Major League level."

To respond to rduvall's comment, go here.

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

Players in no rush to approve deal - Browns Comment of the Day

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"The players have little incentive to strike this deal quickly. The owners stand to lose if some or all preseason games aren't played. The injury risks to players in the preseason probably outweigh the benefit in the players' minds anyway. The players aren't obligated to hurry because the owners want them to. The players will definitely take their time with this and may even use the impending lost preseason revenue for a little more leverage. I wish we could just start playing." - 455thefans

demaurice-smith.JPGView full sizeDeMaurice Smith, Executive Director of the NFLPA.

In response to the story NFL lockout: Owners OK deal, but players don't vote yet, cleveland.com reader 455thefans doesn't think the players are in any rush to get something approved. This reader writes,

"The players have little incentive to strike this deal quickly. The owners stand to lose if some or all preseason games aren't played. The injury risks to players in the preseason probably outweigh the benefit in the players' minds anyway. The players aren't obligated to hurry because the owners want them to. The players will definitely take their time with this and may even use the impending lost preseason revenue for a little more leverage. I wish we could just start playing."

To respond to 455thefans' comment, go here.

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


Bill Fitch era unique in Cleveland sports history - Cavaliers Comment of the Day

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"There has never been anything like a Bill Fitch in Cleveland sports. He was the rare coach who lost but was loved by the fans. Seems to me the golden age of Cleveland basketball is more associated with Bill Fitch and Joe Tait than anyone else. Fitch represents an entire generation of Cleveland sports history. Nothing much went right for the Cavs in those days, but we sure did have fun and winning mattered a whole lot less than it does today." - boogie2shoes

bill-fitch.JPGView full sizeBill Fitch.

In response to the story Ex-Cleveland Cavaliers coach Bill Fitch suffers his biggest loss: Terry Pluto, cleveland.com reader boogie2shoes has fond memories of the Bill Fitch era. This reader writes,

"There has never been anything like a Bill Fitch in Cleveland sports. He was the rare coach who lost but was loved by the fans. Seems to me the golden age of Cleveland basketball is more associated with Bill Fitch and Joe Tait than anyone else. Fitch represents an entire generation of Cleveland sports history. Nothing much went right for the Cavs in those days, but we sure did have fun and winning mattered a whole lot less than it does today."

To respond to boogie2shoes' comment, go here.

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

NFL players discussing owners' proposal, won't comment further today

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NFL Players Association president Kevin Mawae says his group's leadership is discussing the terms of "the most recent written proposal" from owners.

Kevin Mawae, George AtallahNFL Players Association President Kevin Mawae, left, speaks to reporters as he stands with NFL Players Association spokesman George Atallah, right. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

WASHINGTON — NFL Players Association president Kevin Mawae says his group's leadership is discussing the terms of "the most recent written proposal" from owners.

Mawae's statement was issued by the NFLPA on Friday — a day after owners voted for a tentative deal, provided that players approve it, too, and re-establish their union.

He says the proposal being reviewed Friday includes a settlement agreement, economic terms and the process for turning the NFLPA back into a union.

He also says the NFLPA will not make further statements Friday out of respect of Robert Kraft's family. The funeral for the wife of the New England Patriots' owner is today.


Cleveland Indians A.M. Links: Should the Tribe pursue Coco Crisp? White Sox on the rise?

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Should Coco Crisp return to the Tribe?

crisp-homer-vstribe-cc.jpgCoco Crisp

With the trade season coming, the rumors for which players the Cleveland Indians may go after have started to circulate.

Here's an idea by Bleacherreport.com that the Tribe should seek outfielder Coco Crisp and pitcher Rich Harden.

With neither signed past 2011, it's a safe bet that the Oakland A's will try to get some prospects back for these players before July 31.

Why not just send them both to Cleveland?

After the injuries to Shin-Soo Choo and Grady Sizemore and the underproduction from Fausto Carmona and Mitch Talbot, the Tribe have major needs in the outfield and the rotation. With the team contending for the playoffs, they could use major upgrades in those two positions.

Would it make sense for the Tribe to go out and acquire these two players?

 them to make good on this year's potential without mortgaging a very bright future. 

 

Sox hope to rise

The Cleveland Indians are 1/2 game out of first place behind the Detroit Tigers. The Chicago White Sox, however, are five games out as they begin a series with the Tribe starting tonight.

But can the White Sox win the division, as many predicted at the beginning of the season?

Well at least this reporter for the Chicago Sun-Times gives us several reasons why the White Sox will overtake the Indians and the Tigers for the division title.

He actually gives us the pros and cons of the White Sox finishing first in the Central.

 

Braylon Edwards pleads guilty to DWI

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Former Cleveland Browns star wide receiver Braylon Edwards pleaded guilty Friday in his drunken driving case, saying he wanted to resolve it as a possible end to the NFL players' lockout neared.

Braylon EdwardsFormer Browns wide receiver Braylon Edwards pleaded guilty in his drunken-driving case. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File)

NEW YORK  — New York Jets star wide receiver Braylon Edwards pleaded guilty Friday in his drunken driving case, saying he wanted to resolve it as a possible end to the NFL players' lockout neared.

"I feel good. I feel like it came to a fair conclusion," Edwards said as a he left a Manhattan court after pleading guilty to a misdemeanor driving while intoxicated charge. His case will be closed without jail time or probation if he meets conditions that include paying a $500 fine and staying in an NFL substance abuse counseling program he's been in since October.

"We're happy that it's past us, and now it's really time to focus on football again," he said.

His drivers' license will be suspended for six months, and he'll have to install a device that prevents a car from starting until the driver blows into a breath alcohol detector. He's due to check in with the court in October.

The plea came as the prospect of free agency looms for the 28-year-old wide receiver, who reiterated Friday that he "most definitely" wants to stay with the Jets. NFL owners approved a proposal Thursday to end the labor impasse and four-month-long lockout, but players have not yet voted.

It's unclear whether Edwards might face a league suspension over his DWI plea, or how it might affect his probation in Cleveland, where he pleaded no contest in January 2010 to misdemeanor aggravated disorderly conduct. Edwards, who was with the Cleveland Browns before being traded to the Jets in October 2009, had been accused of punching a friend of NBA star LeBron James outside a nightclub.

A Cleveland Municipal Court spokesman and a Jets spokesman didn't immediately respond to messages. Edwards' lawyer, Peter M. Frankel, said he hoped the league and Cleveland authorities would take into account the player's extensive charitable activities, including the $1 million in college scholarships he awarded Cleveland students this spring.

Edwards was pulled over in Manhattan around 5 a.m. on Sept. 21; police said his Land Rover's windows were too dark. His four passengers included Jets left tackle D'Brickashaw Ferguson and defensive end Vernon Gholston.

Edwards' blood-alcohol level was twice the legal limit, police said. He told an officer he'd had "a couple of drinks," the last about an hour before, prosecutors said at his arraignment last fall.

"We were coming from a party. How about if I just leave the car and take a cab and go home?" he asked, according to prosecutors.

Edwards had challenged the basis for stopping him, the accuracy of the alcohol breath test and other aspects of the case.

Edwards had "a very legitimate chance" of prevailing at trial, but with free agency impending, "he wants to put any negativity behind him," Frankel said.

Edwards acknowledged the DWI might make some teams leery of him. But "you may have some teams — hopefully, the one I'm standing in now — that are still OK with it," said Edwards, who came to court in a natty gray-green suit, complete with a light green paisley pocket square.

Edwards had 53 catches for 904 yards and seven touchdowns this past season, and he made a key catch to set up the Jets' game-winning field goal over the Indianapolis Colts in the final minute of an AFC wild card playoff game.

Meanwhile, Edwards got into a minor car crash in Detroit last month. Police said no tickets were issued, alcohol didn't appear to be a factor and neither Edwards nor his passenger was hurt.


NFL's return to work now depends on the players, Tony Grossi says (SBTV)

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Now, when the NFL gets back to work depends on the players acting. Watch video

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

Today being Friday, it's Hey Tony! time, when Plain Dealer Browns writer Tony Grossi answers fans' questions. But before Chuck and Branson turned it over to you, they had to ask: What's the status of the lockout? How soon will we see pro football n Northeast Ohio? Tony's answer? That's up to the players now. The agreement ratified by NFL owners has a timetable that will open team facilities to those currently under contract on Saturday. But until the players OK it and recertify their union, the timetable that calls for free agency to begin in earnest next week is in limbo.

Follow Tony on twitter.com for the latest details.

We also got Tony to weigh in on today's Starting Blocks poll, which asks whether the players or the owners came out on the winning end in the settlement to end the lockout. His answer may surprised you.

When it comes to your questions, Tony tackles which Browns rookies he expects to be the most pleasant surprise (pass-rushing specialist Jabaal Sheard) and whether he thinks the team should go after San Diego receiver Malcom Floyd.

Tune in Monday for another episode of "The Dennis Manoloff Chronicles" on SBTV.


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