At 8 p.m. Saturday, the Cleveland Crush will tackle Bob Golic's Sports Bar and Grille, 1213 West Sixth St., Cleveland. The Lingerie Football League expansion team will introduce itself to fans during an All Fantasy Game Viewing Party.

Ladies and gentlemen! Now introducing your Lingerie Football League team, the Cleveland Crush.

CLEVELAND, Ohio — Are you ready for some football?

Uh, wait, is this actually football? Well, either way . . .

At 8 p.m. Saturday, the Cleveland Crush will tackle Bob Golic's Sports Bar and Grille, 1213 West Sixth St., Cleveland. The Lingerie Football League expansion team will introduce itself to fans during an All Fantasy Game Viewing Party.

"Fantasy Game" is code for the LFL Pro Bowl game, which will be televised in the bar. Former Cleveland Brown Bob Golic will be there -- and not just because it's his bar. He's also the executive vice president of football operations for the Crush, which opens its season on Friday, Sept. 23.

Free. Call 216-363-1130.

What should the Browns give up for a chance at Terrelle Pryor? Poll

AP PhotoTerrelle Pryor

Mary Kay Cabot writes in today's Plain Dealer how Cleveland Browns coach Pat Shurmur doesn't rule out the team's possible attempt at acquiring Terrelle Pryor in the supplemental draft.

With the recent release of quarterback Jake Delhomme, the Browns could use a third quarterback.

The Browns have done their due diligence on Pryor, a source said recently. Pryor has also received high marks from ESPN analyst and former NFL head coach Jon Gruden, a close friend and confidante of Browns President Mike Holmgren.

"The next few days will determine the Tribe's season. They need help. If they can't get the help, they're done." - moulds71

View full sizeChuck Crow | The Plain DealerWhat the Indians' braintrust does between now and July 31st could determine where this team ends up at the end of the season.

In response to the story Ervin Santana's gem leaves Cleveland Indians hitless, nearly speechless, cleveland.com reader moulds71 thinks the next few days will be enormous for the Indians. This reader writes,

"The next few days will determine the Tribe's season. They need help. If they can't get the help, they're done."

Tribe acquire outfielder Kosuke Fukudome from the Cubs.

APKosuke Fukudome

The Cleveland Indians acquired outfielder Kosuke Fukudome, 34, of the Chicago Cubs, according to several reports.

The Indians have been looking for a bat for several weeks now.

Matthew Hays of SBNation.com writes that Fukudome is a fourth-year veteran from Japan who is in the final year of his contract, Fukudome is hitting .273 with three homers and 13 RBI.

The Cubs will be on the hook for much of the remaining money left on Fukudome's contract for this season. In return the Cubs will be receiving two prospects from Cleveland. At this time the two names are unknown. The deal has been agreed to, however it will not be finalized until this afternoon.



The Cleveland Browns have a chance to pick Terrelle Pryor in the supplemental draft, but should the Browns select Pryor? Watch video

SBTV hosts Branson Wright and Chuck Yarborough debate the true meaning of life. Well, not really, but Branson attempts to explain to Chuck how Ervin Santana's no-hitter over the Tribe in Wednesday's 3-1 Angels win was about his pitching ability. But Chuck insists that the Tribe would even get no-hit in a T-ball league.

Fortunately, Plain Dealer columnist Bill Livingston settles the tie and explainswhy Santana deserves all of the credit.

Livy, however, doesn't give the Tribe much credit in today's acquisition of 34-year old Kosuke Fukudome of the Chicago Cubs.

The Indians are in need of a bat, particularly a right-handed bat, so they instead acquired the left-handed hitting Fukudome who's hitting .273 with three home runs.

The guys also switched to the Browns for a quick question for Livy. Former Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor should become eligible for the supplemental draft, and that means the Browns will have an opportunity to pick him up. Livy says it's a move the Browns should avoid making.

The Indians will send two prospects to the Cubs for Japanese outfielder Kosuke Fukudome. Will only pay $775,000 of his $13.5 million deal.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Indians acquired Cubs outfielder Kosuke Fukudome for two prospects. The Indians sent outfielder Abrner Abreu and pitcher Carlton Smith to the Cubs.

MLB had to approve how the Indians and Cubs pay the remainder of Fukudome's $13.5 million salary for this year. There is about $4.7 million left on the deal and the Indians will pay only $775,000, with the Cubs picking up the rest.

Fukudome, 34, is hitting .273 (80-for-293) with three homers and 13 RBI this season.. The left-handed hitting Fukudome has 46 walks, 57 strikeouts and a .742 OPS.

The Indians, no-hit on Wednesday by the Angels, are strapped for offense and  outfielders with Grady Sizemore and Shin-Soo Choo on the disabled list.

Fukudome is in the final year of a four-year $48 million deal with the Cubs.

Look for Fukudome, if the deal is completed, to start in right field for the Tribe. Since Choo broke his left thumb on June 24 after getting hit by a Jonathan Sanchez pitch, the Indians have been platooning Travis Buck and Austin Kearns.

Choo said Wednesday he expects to be back playing by Aug. 15. When the Indians have talked about Choo's return, they've mentioned early September.

Fukudome has been the Cubs right fielder since 2008. In just over 3 1/2 season with the Cubs, Fukudome has hit .262 with 37 homers, 169 RBI and 236 runs. He has a career .369 on base percentage, .402 slugging percentage and a .772 OPS with Chicago.

The Indians will get Fukudome when he's hot. He's hitting .429  (6-for-14) in his last seven games. He spent 69 games this season in the leadoff spot, hitting .268 (71-for-265) with 29 runs.

He's hitting .273 against righties and .273 against lefties.  

When will the Cleveland Browns join the free agent frenzy?

APBrowns coach Pat Shurmur.

While the free agency frenzy has been fast and furious around the league, the Cleveland Browns have been in a slow motion, writes James Walker of ESPN.

The Browns are one of the AFC North teams with the most cap space has been doormat, and several players linked to coming to Cleveland have signed elsewhere.

Even the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers, who have limited cap space, retained their biggest free agents in guard Marshal Yanda and cornerback Ike Taylor. The Bengals at least found their veteran replacement for Carson Palmer in Bruce Gradkowski. Meanwhile, the Browns haven't used any of their available dollars as of Thursday morning.

Cleveland's front office says it won't be overly aggressive in free agency. But the truth is, Cleveland is the one team in the division with the most ground to make up in terms of pure talent, writes Walker.

This is the Browns' last chance to significantly improve their roster before the 2011 season, and they still have major holes at defensive end, safety, wide receiver and the right side of the offensive line.

Top free agents usually are the first to go. So the Browns better join in the fray before it's too late. The roster Cleveland has right now is nowhere near good enough to supplant the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers.

No problem with trade

NFL.com has this article about the Atlanta Falcons being so hungry for a Super Bowl (they won 13 games last season) and that they gave up gave up two first-rounders (2011, '12), a second-rounder this year, and two fourth-rounders (2011, '12) to the Browns for the rights to draft wide receiver Julio Jones.

Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff says about the deal:

"That was the discussion. In the end we concluded this wouldn't have been right two years ago. Maybe it won't be right two years from now, but where the roster is now, combined with the number of veterans we have at a later point in their careers, we feel it was worth the compensation."

 

Delhomme dumped

Jake Delhomme was released by the Cleveland Browns, writes Plain Dealer reporter Tony Grossi, and that means the Browns have an additional $2.3 million available in salary cap space.

So what will the Browns do now?

Ohio State head coach Luke Fickell spoke about Jim Tressel and the controversial OSU program Thursday at Big 10 Media Days in Chicago.

OSU head coach Luke Fickell

Ohio State head coach Luke Fickell spoke about succeeding Jim Tressel, who will replace Terrelle Pryor at quarterback and the start of the season at Big 10 Media Days in Chicago on Thursday.

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

Glenville High School graduate Jonathan Newsome is leaving Ohio State.

Marvin Fong/The Plain DealerEx-Ohio State QB Terrelle Pryor.

It looks like Glenville graduate Jonathan Newsome is out at Ohio State. That's at least what John Taylor of NBCSports.com writes.

Since Newsome missed most of spring practice due to academic issues, and since Newsome is not on the latest team roster, it appears that Newsome is not in OSU's plans.

Newsome’s high school coach, Cleveland (Oh.) Glenville’s Ted Ginn Sr., told the Dispatch that Newsome plans to transfer, although he was enrolled in classes at OSU.  It’s unclear where the linebacker will land if he does indeed decide to transfer.

Newsome was a three-star member of OSU’s 2009 recruiting class.  He played in 13 games last season.

 

Support from the old school

Many former Buckeyes grew tired of hearing bad things about their school and former coach Jim Tressel, so John Hicks and others decided to do something about it, writes Tim May of The Columbus Dispatch.

 "We're doing the tunnel of pride just like we have for a long time for the Michigan game, except we're doing it for the season opener (Sept.3) against Akron," said Hicks, an All-America lineman at Ohio State in the early 1970s. "We're going to have 1,500 to 2,000 out there. People are up in arms. We've got former basketball players and other sports that want to join us."

Count Pandel Savic, 86, among them. Savic, quarterback of the 1949 Big Ten championship team that won the Rose Bowl, will be part of the group that plans to line the team's romp out of the southwest tunnel at Ohio Stadium for the start of the season.

The former players are supporting Tressel, but they'll also support new coach Luke Fuckell.

More on Terrelle Pryor

Dayton Daily News columnist Tom Archdeacon writes how Terrelle Pryor has gone from hero to some kind of pariah over the past few months.

Archdeacon writes how not even Maurice Clarett, who went to prison, was told not to come around the program for a period of time like Pryor.

Since OSU wrote Pryor an official letter about him not ever being eligible to play so he can qualify for the supplemental draft, makes Pryor look bad.

These days Clarett — now playing minor league pro football — is seen as something of a prodigal son by some at OSU.

Pryor, on the other hand, is being depicted as a villain by the school.

WADSWORTH, Ohio - For the second year in a row, Ohio State has reached into Northeast Ohio to kick off what it hopes will be another stellar wrestling recruiting class. Two-time state champion Nick Tavanello, a Wadsworth senior heavyweight, has made an oral commitment to OSU. "I've always wanted to be a Buckeye. It's been one of my dreams,"...

Wadsworth senior Nick Tavanello wrestled the last three seasons at 215 pounds, placing third at state as a freshman and winning the last two years in Division I. - (Special to The Plain Dealer)

WADSWORTH, Ohio - For the second year in a row, Ohio State has reached into Northeast Ohio to kick off what it hopes will be another stellar wrestling recruiting class. Two-time state champion Nick Tavanello, a Wadsworth senior heavyweight, has made an oral commitment to OSU.

"I've always wanted to be a Buckeye. It's been one of my dreams," Tavanello said. "They offered me about three weeks ago and I waited a little bit to verbal. I wanted to see what other places had to offer, as well."

Tavanello also considered Kent State, Ohio University, North Carolina and Pittsburgh.

OSU's 2011 recruiting class was rated No. 1 by several publications, and it included Walsh Jesuit's Johnni DiJulius.

Tavanello (6-0, 248) is considered a small heavyweight, but still is regarded among the nation's top recruits. He wrestled the last three seasons at 215 pounds, placing third at state as a freshman and winning the last two years in Division I. He has a chance to become the third wrestler in Ohio history to win three state titles at 215 or above. His career record is 137-9.

He said he'll move up to heavyweight instead of wrestling at the new high school weight of 220 pounds because OSU coaches want him to get a year of experience against bigger opponents.

"I don't think it's the size of the heavyweight, I think it's the heart. I've always been small for my weight and I've had the will and the ability, and things paid off," he said.

Tavanello will play football this fall as a defensive tackle and offensive guard.

Santonio Holmes, Matt Hasselbeck, Charles Johnson, Lance Moore, DeAngelo Williams, Doug Free -- numerous players are deciding on their 2011 homes. And....a spot for Browns LB Matt Roth with a perennial powerhouse?

John Kuntz, The Plain DealerSantonio Holmes (10), here breaking away to score the touchdown that gave New York a 26-20 overtime win over the Browns last Nov. 14, has decided to stay with the Jets.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The NFL veteran free agent wheels are turning, as teams move at a frantic pace to configure their rosters in the aftermath of the lockout.

Numerous high-profile players have agreed to sign with new teams, or to stay with the teams they played for in 2010.

The Cleveland Browns have not yet made any news, besides -- not surprisingly -- their release of quarterback Jake Delhomme, as The Plain Dealer's Tony Grossi wrote on Wednesday.

Browns linebacker Matt Roth is getting attention as a free agent. Several news outlets are claiming he would be an excellent fit for the New England Patriots.

The Boston Herald thinks Roth might help solve any shortcomings the Patriots have at linebacker:

Figure Roth, a perfect 3-4 player who has a mean streak, is the best option. He had 86 tackles and four sacks last season, and would be able to hit the ground running the fastest. The lack of mini-camp means a free agent must be ready to play immediately. Roth would be.

Veteran free agents can sign contracts on Friday. Reports on some of the most high-profile players who have decided where they will play football this season, and beyond:

Running back DeAngelo Williams gets some big money to stay with the Carolina Panthers, Vinnie Iyer writes for SportingNews.com.

Wide receiver Santonio Holmes is staying with the New York Jets, which might impact the future of current Jets and former Browns wideout Braylon Edwards, who is also a free agent. ProFootballTalk.com reports the story.

The Tennessee Titans have made the right move in landing former Seattle Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck, writes Paul Kuharsky for ESPN.com.

The Carolina Panthers have decided to give defensive end Charles Johnson a six-year/$72 million contract to stay with them. An Associated Press report on ESPN.com details the decision.

Defensive tackle Barry Cofield, from Cleveland Heights High School, is getting a big contract to leave the New York Giants for the Washington Redskins, writes Dan Graziano for ESPN.com.

Cornerback Ike Taylor will remain a Pittsburgh Steeler, according to sources, writes Scott Brown for the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.

The Baltimore Ravens will keep their valuable guard-tackle, Marshal Yanda. A baltimoreravens.com report.

A tweet from his management team says that Eric Weddle is staying with the San Diego Chargers, who, according to the tweet, are making Weddle the highest-paid safety in NFL history.

Offensive lineman Robert Gallery will leave the Oakland Raiders for the Seattle Seahawks. A report from the Seattle Post-Intelligencer.

The Jacksonville Jaguars are improving their defense with linebacker Paul Posluszny, who is leaving the Buffalo Bills, writes Paul Kuharsky for ESPN.com.

Doug Free is staying with the Dallas Cowboys. A note in the report by Bob Sturm of the Dallas Morning News refers to Free as the third best left offensive tackle in the NFL -- with the Browns star LT, Joe Thomas, not among them.

The Seattle Seahawks have agreed to terms with wide receiver Sidney Rice, who is leaving the Minnesota Vikings, reports Doug Farrar for Yahoo! Sports.

Safety Quintin Mikell, after eight seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles, is joining the St. Louis Rams, writes Jim Thomas for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

The Philadelphia Eagles land a pass-rushing defensive end, Jason Babin, who leaves the Tennessee Titans. On SportingNews.com.

Adam Vinatieri, one of the greatest clutch place-kickers of all-time, will remain with the Indianapolis Colts, reports Mike Chappell for the Indianapolis Star.

The Houston Texans are keeping wide receiver Jacoby Jones, Daniel Charles writes for SB Nation Houston.

Place-kicker Olindo Mare is leaving the Seattle Seahawks for the Carolina Panthers, Vinnie Iyer writes for SportingNews.com.

Wide receiver Lance Moore has tweeted that he's going to stay with the New Orleans Saints, reports Mike Triplett for The Times-Picayune in New Orleans.

The Washington Redskins have agreed to terms with cornerback Josh Wilson, formerly of the Baltimore Ravens, writes Mike Jones for the Washington Post.

Wide receiver Steve Breaston is moving from the Arizona Cardinals to the Kansas City Chiefs, reports Adam Teicher for the Kansas City Star.

The Green Bay Packers are keeping their place-kicker, Mason Crosby, writes Tom Silverstein for the Journal Sentinel in Milwaukee.

Safety Melvin Bullitt is staying with the Indianapolis Colts, reports Mike Chappell for the Indianapolis Star.

Thomas Davis, a fine linebacker who missed all of last season with a knee injury, stays with the Carolina Panthers, reports Pat Yasinskas for ESPN.com. 

O'Meara and Allen both played bogey-free golf and shot 5-under 66 today at the Inverness Club in Toledo.

View full sizeAssociated PressMark O' Meara, pictured during the Senior British Open Championship last week, shares the early lead at the U.S. Senior Open in Toledo.

Toledo, Ohio -- Mark O'Meara and Michael Allen, each with a history of success at Canterbury Golf Club, shared the early first-round lead at the 32nd annual U.S. Senior Open today at the Inverness Club.

O'Meara won the 1979 U.S. Amateur at Canterbury and Allen won the Senior PGA in 2009 and both played bogey-free golf and shot 5-under 66 today.

Amateur Damon Green, whose day job is caddying for former Masters champ Zach Johnson, is one shot back with a round of 67 that included two bogeys. He is tied for second with former U.S. Open champ Steve Jones.

Using a new Ping putter, O'Meara, who won the 1998 Masters and British Open, had five birdies and had par-saving putts of 22 feet and 11 feet and on the treacherous back nine.

Allen, 52, who has not won since coming from behind at Canterbury two years ago, did not need to make any lengthy putts as he repeatedly got the ball close to the hole from the fairway.

Steve Pate, a two-time Ryder Cup member, was in at 68 and John Huston, Joey Sindelar, Larry Nelson and Ted Schulz were in at 69.

Ubaldo Jimenez, Hunter Pence, B.J. Upton on the block? Elite teams like Phillies, Rangers, Red Sox, Yankees look to bolster hopes. Champion Giants get Carlos Beltran. Will the Indians make a bigger move?

Associated PressUbaldo Jimenez, the Colorado Rockies' sometimes-spectacular starting pitcher, has been mentioned in trade speculation.

The Major League Baseball trade deadline is fast approaching, and plenty of big names already are on the move.

Carlos Beltran is headed to San Francisco, bolstering the reigning world champions for another run at the title and Colby Rasmus is out of Tony La Russa's dog house in St. Louis and on his way to Toronto.

With the deadline looming Sunday, there are still a lot of big decisions to be made and big stars who could be getting changes of scenery.

The New York Yankees are in second place in the AL East, three games behind Boston, which almost assuredly means they will be active. The Yankees could be in the market for a quality starter with Phil Hughes struggling and a left-handed reliever to help them chase down the Red Sox.

"If we make moves, we feel that it's to better the club and I can't tell you that we're going to make any moves," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. "Our club has got to where we are with the pieces we have and we've done a good job. Will we tweak it? I don't know. Past history has shown the Yankees have done everything they can to tweak the club to make it better."

Other teams in baseball's upper echelon like the Red Sox and Phillies will likely be active in the trade market.

Several other teams in limbo have difficult decisions to make. The Minnesota Twins are six games behind the Detroit Tigers in the AL Central. They have a history of late-season surges, but must make a decision soon if they are going to be buyers or sellers this time around.

The Cleveland Indians are in a similar boat. One of the biggest surprises in baseball this season, the Indians trail the Tigers by just two games. They were looking for current help in the outfield with Grady Sizemore and Shin-Soo Choo on the disabled list, but didn't want to give up any of their prized young prospects like infielders Jason Kipnis or Lonnie Chisenhall to do it.

Manager Manny Acta said recently that it would be "an understatement" to say the team needs some help down the stretch, and the Indians made a move on Thursday by adding Cubs outfielder Kosuke Fukudome for a pair of minor league players.

And what about the Cincinnati Reds? They're five games behind the Cardinals in the NL Central - and St. Louis just picked up right-hander Edwin Jackson, too - but some help in the rotation or the outfield could put them right back in the picture.

"We're still buying. ... We've got a lot of things cooking, but nothing close," Reds GM Walt Jocketty said Wednesday.

The Texas Rangers saw what a big deal can do last year when they got Cliff Lee from Seattle and rode him to the World Series.

Here's a quick-hit look at some of the moves that could be made this year to try to accomplish the same goal.

PLAYERS ON THE MARKET:

-Ubaldo Jimenez, RHP, Colorado Rockies: 27-year-old Dominican is 6-9 with a 4.20 ERA, a down year after last year's brilliant effort (19-8, 2.88). But his strikeout numbers are still overpowering and he has a very manageable contract, making him an attractive target. Good fits? Yankees, Reds.

-Heath Bell, RHP, San Diego Padres: Burly All-Star is one of the most proven closers available. His strikeout numbers (6.8 per nine innings) are down from the last two years, but he's still getting the job done with 29 saves. Good fits? Rangers, Angels, Cardinals.

-Hunter Pence, RF, Houston Astros: One of the few bright spots for the lowly Astros this year. Hitting .307 with 11 HRs, 62 RBIs and 24 2Bs. But Houston has been out of race almost since season started and could be looking to sell. Again. Good fits? Braves, Phillies.

-B.J. Upton, CF, Tampa Bay Rays: With Rays languishing in a distant third place in the AL East, could look to cut ties with the 2nd overall pick in the 2002 draft. Upton has 15 HRs and 53 RBIs, but is hitting just .227 and could benefit from a change of scenery. Good fits? Nationals, Tigers.

"I grew up through the minor leagues with a lot of these guys here, so I love being here, I love playing here," Upton said. "Let's hope for the best."

TEAMS TO WATCH:

-Texas Rangers: New ownership has been ultra-aggressive in bringing in talent. Reportedly went hard after Beltran and getting a closer to help Neftali Feliz - his five blown saves are third-most in AL - is a big priority. "I just don't see urgency," manager Ron Washington said of Feliz. "I don't see it."

-Philadelphia Phillies: Those Four Aces could use some run support. Phillies have the best record in the majors, but are 18th in team batting average and 13th in runs scored this year. At corner OF spots, Raul Ibanez and Domonic Brown have struggled sometimes. Pence and White Sox OF Carlos Quentin are two hot names right now.

-Minnesota Twins: GM Bill Smith has been trying to wait as long as possible to decide if his team is a buyer or seller in the weak AL Central. If they buy, Twins need major help in bullpen and rotation. If they sell in an effort to restock a thin farm system, OFs Jason Kubel, Delmon Young and Michael Cuddyer, DH Jim Thome and LHP Francisco Liriano all could come available for the right price to impact a pennant race near you.

-Seattle Mariners: GMs around the country are licking their chops and hoping they finally get word that LHP Felix Hernandez is on the market. M's steadfastly maintain they're holding on to King Felix and All-Star closer Brandon League, but you never know.

"I hope they are not going to use any of my tax money for this. Let the rich players and owners pay for their own stadiums. They are all way overpaid anyway. Why do we pay these guys so much? So we can win a game? The whole way things are set up for professional sports is just crazy." - Dumpsterman

View full sizeProgressive Field.

In response to the story Cleveland Indians construct model loge, could be blueprint for renovation at Progressive Field, cleveland.com reader Dumpsterman hopes his tax dollars won't be paying for Progressive Field renovations. This reader writes,

"I hope they are not going to use any of my tax money for this. Let the rich players and owners pay for their own stadiums. They are all way overpaid anyway. Why do we pay these guys so much? So we can win a game? The whole way things are set up for professional sports is just crazy."

Moore says McCoy was "uncomfortable" not being the leader of the team early on as a rookie.

John Kuntz / The Plain Dealer"I think Colt McCoy is a natural-born leader," Evan Moore said.

BEREA, Ohio - Browns tight end Evan Moore slipped into the media room today for a few minutes to answer questions.

He said he expects to sign his restricted contract tender tomorrow, is healthy after an offseason procedure to correct a sports hernia and is recently engaged.

Moore also touched on a change in Colt McCoy that he's seen in the offseason workouts organized by the second-year quarterback.

"I think he's himself now," Moore said. "I think Colt is a natural-born leader. When he first got here, in hindsight I realized he was definitely uncomfortable not being the leader and not being able to voice how he feels about things and push guys in a certain direction.

"Now you can tell it's not forced. He organized our offseason workouts. He basically ran our workouts. That's what you want your quarterback to do. I think he's ready go."

Young is expected to take the place of departing Abe Elam as the starting free safety.

MICHAEL DeMOCKER / THE TIMES-PICAYUNE Usama Young played for the Saints the last 4 seasons.

BEREA, Ohio - The Browns have reached a contract agreement with Usama Young with the intent of making the former Kent State cornerback their starting free safety, a league source has confirmed.

The agreement was struck the first day teams were allowed to negotiate with free agents. It won't be announced officially until after 6 p.m. on Friday.

Young, 26, was drafted in the third round by the New Orleans Saints as a cornerback, but has been a backup safety the past two years. All four years he was a core player on special teams.

Young made six starts in 52 games for the Saints. He had three interceptions and one sack in spot duty on defense.

Young was a four-year starter at Kent State and was a teammate of Josh Cribbs for three years.

Young is expected to take the place of Abram Elam, who started two years under former coach Eric Mangini and is an unrestricted free agent.

The Canada Border Services Agency has new rules for Ohio boaters crossing the line to fish in the Ontario waters of Lake Erie, a common trip in the summertime search for walleye, yellow perch and smallmouth bass.

D'Arcy Egan, the Plain DealerThere are lots of good reasons to fish the Ontario waters of Lake Erie. Some of the biggest walleye, smallmouth bass and yellow perch can be caught there. This perch was boated on a fishing adventure last fall.

 The Canada Border Services Agency has new rules for Ohio boaters crossing the line to fish in the Ontario waters of Lake Erie, a common trip in the summertime search for walleye, yellow perch and smallmouth bass.

There have been no problems on Lake Erie this year, but a confrontation between a New York angler and Ontario border officials on the St. Lawrence River on May 30 turned into a $1,000 fine and an international incident. CBSA officials said at that time that its rules require non-resident boaters to immediately head to a shoreline check-in station before fishing, even though that might cause a long, fuel-wasting trip.

That rule had never been enforced on Lake Erie, and caused a stir among U.S. anglers all along the border. In the past, Ohioans who did not anchor or set foot on Canadian soil did not need to notify Canadian officials they would be fishing in Ontario waters.

 The new rule requires all U.S. fishermen to now check in, but they can do it by telephone before leaving the U.S. shore or by cell phone when crossing the border. The Telephone Reporting Centre can be reached at 1-888-226-7277. Be ready to answer a few questions and provide the name and date of birth of each passenger on the boat. An officer will provide an ID number to verify the boat and passengers are properly registered.

Every Ohio angler must have an non-resident Ontario Outdoor Card ($9.68) and non-resident fishing license. A season fishing license is $76.49, an 8-day license $49.02 and a one-day license $20.75. Licenses are available by telephone from the Ministry of Natural Resources, 1-800-667-1940.

Early seasons set: The Ohio Wildlife Council had no surprises for Buckeye hunters, approving a traditional Sept. 1 opener for the early mourning dove and Canada goose seasons and Sept. 3 for the early teal season. The dove seasons are Sept. 1-Oct. 23 and Dec. 17-Jan. 2. The daily bag limit is 15 doves. The early goose season is Sept. 1-15, with a daily bag of four geese. The early teal season is Sept. 3-18, with a daily bag of four birds.

Also approved were early seasons for sora rails, Virginia rails and moorhens on Sept. 1-Nov. 9, and a snipe season of Sept. 1-Nov. 27 and Dec. 17-Jan. 4. The woodcock season is Oct. 8-Nov. 21.

The regular duck and goose seasons will be approved by the OWC later in the summer using U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service guidelines.

Shotgunner's center: The Cardinal Shooting Center in central Ohio continues to expand its facilities, with a new sporting clays course now open to the public. The large facility, which hosts the Ohio State Trapshooting Championships, has 52 trap ranges, a 3-D archery range, campground and meeting and banquet rooms to handle 300 people. The sporting clays course is open Wednesday through Friday from 11 a.m. to dark, and weekends from 9 a.m. to dark. The trap range is open on Wednesday and Thursday (2-7 p.m.) and Saturdays (10 a.m.-4 p.m.). The archery range is open every day. The facility is in Marengo, Ohio at the crossroads of Ohio 61 and I-71.

Out and about:  The Sandusky Bay Fishing Access in the Port Clinton area will be closed Aug. 1-3 for road work . . . The 46-year-old Atwood Lake Resort in Carroll County, which has had financial problems in recent years, will be torn down by the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District . . . Mountain lions can turn up anywhere in the country, including Ohio, judging by a mountain lion whose DNA confirmed that over two years it traveled 1,500 miles from the Black Hills of South Dakota to Connecticut, where it was hit and killed on the highway . . . The Lake Erie Waterfowlers Festival is Aug. 29 at the Magee Marsh Wildlife Area from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.. featuring hunting exhibits, duck and goose calling contests, retriever trials and decoy contests.

Ashe heads USFWS: Long-time U.S. Fish and Wildlife Agency  official Daniel M. Ashe was named to head the agency this week by Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, taking over for the late Sam Hamilton, who died of a heart attack while skiing in Colorado in early 2010.  During his FWS career, Ashe was deputy director, science advisor, chief of the National Wildlife Refuge System and directed migratory bird management and wetland conservation programs.

Delhomme, linebacker Eric Alexander and tight end Tyson DeVree are no longer Browns.

Joshua Gunter / The Plain DealerJake Delhomme was released by the Browns on Thursday.

BEREA -- Rather unceremoniously, the Browns career of quarterback Jake Delhomme officially came to an end today when the club confirmed his release.
 
 The official statement by the Browns:

 "The Cleveland Browns today terminated the contracts of linebacker Eric Alexander and quarterback Jake Delhomme. In addition, the team waived tight end Tyson DeVree."

Breakdown of numbers show how little the Indians have got from the four right-handed batters on the 25-man roster and the two switch-hitters when batting righty. Will the front office do something?

Chuck Crow, The Plain DealerVeteran infielder Orlando Cabrera, one of the Indians' few right-handed batters, was a productive hitter in the season's early weeks but has since tailed off.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Cleveland Indians on Thursday acquired outfielder Kosuke Fukudome in a trade with the Chicago Cubs, as reported by The Plain Dealer's Paul Hoynes.

Cleveland sent Class AAA Columbus Clippers left-handed reliever Carlton Smith and Advanced A Kinston Indians outfielder Abner Abreu to Chicago for Fukudome.

Fukudome is a solid if not especially difference-making major leaguer. He's a left-handed batter, though, and it's not his fault that the Indians' roster is woefully under-manned in right-handed hitters, and the few the Tribe has have generally not been productive.

The Tribe roster includes just four right-handed batters: second baseman Orlando Cabrera, first baseman Matt LaPorta, outfielder Austin Kearns and catcher Lou Marson.

Shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera and catcher-first baseman Carlos Santana are switch-hitters.

The combined statistics for the four right-handers, combined with Asdrubal Cabrera and Santana when they hit right-handed, include a .246 batting average in 1,058 at bats, with 51 doubles, five triples, 20 home runs and 113 RBI.

That's just one homer per every 52.9 at bats; just one RBI per every 9.36 at bats.

Let's put that in perspective. The rest of the Indians' hitters -- including Asdrubal Cabrera and Santana when they bat left-handed, and including players no longer on the roster and Indians' pitchers when they had to bat in games at National League parks -- have hit one homer per every 32.7 at bats; one RBI per every 7.97 at bats.

Those differences in the production of right-handed versus left-handed hitting are immense. And it's not like any of the Indians' left-handers are headed to the Hall of Fame.

Consider, too, that the Indians' lefty swingers' batting average and on-base and slugging percentages are somewhat diminished because so often they are forced to bat against baseball's better left-handed pitchers. They can't sit against the better lefties because the Tribe has so few right-handed hitters.

Nor does help on the right side of the plate from within seem imminent. Outfielders Grady Sizemore and Shin-Soo Choo may both return from the disabled list within the next few weeks, but both hit left-handed. No right-handers on Cleveland's minor league teams have solid major league resumes or are ready to help at the big league level.

Following are statistics for the right-handed batters on the 25-man roster, and for Asdrubal Cabrera and Santana when they hit right-handed.

A couple observations:

* LaPorta leads with one homer per every 28 bats and one RBI per every 7.17 ABs. Not especially impressive, but rather respectable for a player usually hitting seventh or eighth in a subpar lineup. LaPorta has just 53 at bats against left-handed pitching, and though he's hitting just .208 in those opportunities, that's a low sample to judge him on. Several times this season, after a solid game or two, LaPorta has been benched against a lefty pitcher -- whom he would theoretically have a better chance hitting against then a righty -- so that Santana can get a rest from catching and play first base while Lou Marson catches.

 * Santana and Asdrubal Cabrera have solid batting averages but little power production when hitting right-handed. Santana has one homer in 99 at bats hitting righty, but one homer per every 16.8 at bats hitting left-handed. As a right-handed batter, Asdrubal Cabrera has hit one homer per every 41.7 at bats; as a left-hander, one homer per every 20.3 at bats.

Players hitting right-handed    BA      AB    2B   3B    HR    RBI      Slg.     OBP 

Asdrubal Cabrera                  .296   125     8     0     3      16     .432    .328

Carlos Santana                      .273     99     6     1     1       9     .384    .402

Lou Marson                            .242   128     6     2     1       9     .344    .293

Orlando Cabrera                    .240    321   13     0     4      38     .318    .271

Matt LaPorta                          .235    251   13     1     9      35     .402    .292

Austin Kearns                        .216    134     5     1      2       6     .313    .318 

(BA - batting average; AB - at bats; 2B - doubles; 3B - triples; HR - home runs; RBI - runs batted in; Slg. - slugging percentage; OBP - on-base percentage)

"Evan Moore is the best receiver on this team. Let's hope the new coaching staff realizes it. He catches everything, no matter how bad the throw or how many defenders are draped all over him." - Common Sense

View full sizeLisa DeJong | The Plain DealerEvan Moore impressed Browns fans with his ability to catch the ball last season.

In response to the story Cleveland Browns tight end Evan Moore is ready to go, lauds Colt McCoy, cleveland.com reader Common Sense thinks Evan Moore can have a big impact this season. This reader writes,

"Evan Moore is the best receiver on this team. Let's hope the new coaching staff realizes it. He catches everything, no matter how bad the throw or how many defenders are draped all over him."