Two draft picks signed, six to go for Browns to have them all in camp on Friday.

File PhotoGreg Little is expected to report to Browns training camp on Friday.

BEREA -- The Browns have signed draft picks Jabaal Sheard and Greg Little, per Aaron Wilson of National Football Post.

 Sheard, a defensive end from Pitt taken in the second round, received $5.09 million. Little, a wide receiver from North Carolina and also a second-round pick, signed for $3.32 million.

 All draft picks after the first round receive four-year deals, according to the league's new collective bargaining agreement.

Indians hope left-handed hitting veteran will boost their struggling offense and help in the field.

Associated PressKosuke Fukudome, now with the Indians, was hitting .273 with three homers and 46 walks in 293 at bats this season with the Cubs.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Cleveland Indians acquired veteran Kosuke Fukudome, a left-handed hitting outfielder, from the Chicago Cubs in a trade on Thursday.

The Plain Dealer's Paul Hoynes writes about the Cleveland-Chicago trade, in which the Indians sent Class AAA Columbus relief pitcher Carlton Smith and advanced A Kinston outfielder Abner Abreu to the Cubs:

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.

"We feel we're better today than we were yesterday," said GM Chris Antonetti. "Kosuke Fukudome has a chance to help us offensively and defensively. He has a history of getting on base and is a good defender."

Antonetti said he will continue to try and improve the ballclub. The deadline for making trades without waivers is Sunday at 4 p.m. The deadline for making trades after acquiring waivers on players is Aug. 31.

"We're going to look at anyway we can improve our run scoring and run prevention," said Antonetti. "Fukudome helps us with both those things."

Many Indians fans believe the Indians need to obtain a right-handed hitter. Some observers think the Tribe could use another starting pitcher.

The Indians say they'd like to do more to help their chances against the Detroit Tigers, Chicago White Sox and Minnesota Twins in the American League Central Division race. For now, though, the trade for Fukudome is the move under analysis.

What do you think?

If the Browns haven't ruled out taking Terrelle Pryor in the supplemental draft, a reading Jim Tressel's remarks about his former quarterback during testimony to the NCAA may convince them to.

View full sizeMark J. Terrill, Associated PressAll Terrelle Pryor, right, did at Ohio State was get himself and coach Jim Tressel, left, run out of town because of scandal. What could possibly go wrong if he was a member of the Browns?

CLEVELAND, Ohio — The Browns say they haven't completely ruled out taking former Ohio State quarterback and Big Ten championship ring-seller Terrelle Pryor in the supplemental draft.

The first question that comes to mind is: Why not?

Even as a developmental quarterback, Pryor, inaccurate because of inconsistent mechanics, is a bad idea. There is also the little matter that he is the player who initiated the memorabilia sale scandal, leading to the forced resignation of Jim Tressel, the most successful Ohio State coach -- and a Clevelander, to boot -- since Woody Hayes.

Before Pryor left school as the scandal grew, OSU officials worried that he would be booed loudly at home games as a senior next season. Here, in Tressel's hometown, with its hordes of Buckeyes alumni, what could go wrong?

The only explanation for the Browns even to consider Pryor is the Jon Gruden factor. Gruden, who won a Super Bowl with Tony Dungy's players in Tampa Bay, is a close friend of Browns President Mike Holmgren. Gruden worked with Pryor soon after Ohio State and the quarterback parted ways, and he likes Pryor as a quarterback in the NFL.

"You can't be more impressed with the guy physically," Gruden said.

"He's all of 6-foot-5, he's 235 pounds. He can be a double [run-pass] threat. He's got some work to do, fundamentally. But he does have rare talent."

But Gruden, an ESPN analyst at the moment, likes every player he sees. He hopes to return to coaching some day, and he doesn't want to burn any bridges.

Pryor was 31-4 as a starter at Ohio State with three Big Ten championships and two bowl Most Valuable Player awards. He was the most heavily recruited high school player in the nation in 2008. With such ballyhoo comes a presumption in modern sports of arrogance and entitlement. But the Pryor who emerges in the 139 pages of the transcript of Tressel's official interview with NCAA investigators is different.

Although the names of the players were redacted in the transcript, Tressel spoke frequently of Ted Sarniak, a businessman from Pryor's hometown of Jeannette, Pa., who functioned as one of Pryor's mentors. "I know [the name is blacked out, but it has to be Pryor] calls Ted three, four, five times a day," Tressel said.

In the transcript, Tressel coaches Sarniak as much as Pryor, telling the mentor to "remind [Pryor] we've gotta do every little thing right."

Sarniak, according to Tressel, called "maybe twice in the last three years," when Pryor was presumably facing various crises of confidence, telling Tressel "maybe you need to give him a little hug or, you know, that type of thing."

No wonder Pryor quickly became cell phone and email buddies with former Cavalier LeBron James. Like James at times, Pryor denied his own faults publicly. This was evident when Pryor basically said, "What, me worry?" after bad games, at least until his four-turnover debacle at Purdue as a sophomore. But in his heart, Pryor was needy and troubled by doubts. He frequently sought assurances.

"[Pryor] has an initial instinct to refute," said Tressel. "It goes a little bit back to his perfectionist thing where he doesn't ever wanna be wrong or imperfect. But you have to let him wave his head and disagree and refute for a minute and then re-center it."

Although Tressel often referred indirectly to Pryor's association with a known drug trafficker, Edward Rife, at the tattoo parlor that was the epicenter of the scandal, the coach also put the obstacles posed by Pryor's reaction to criticism in football terms. Recounting a typical chat with Pryor, Tressel said, " 'I'm just telling you that you better read the free safety and not give me the excuse that the receiver slipped or that it's not your fault.' That's a little bit of his makeup."

After the NCAA shockingly reinstated the memorabilia sale violators for the Sugar Bowl, Tressel challenged a player with a "brand" (name recognition), to take his own principled stand. "If you wanna start fixing your brand, if I were you, I would step up and say, 'I don't deserve to play in this game,' and not put it on me," Tressel said, again, presumably, to Pryor.

The coach returns to the theme of Pryor's wavering confidence repeatedly. "I remember after spring ball [Pryor] asking me the question, 'Do you think I'll be good enough [for the NFL)]' " Tressel said. "He's always looking for that reinforcement. 'Do you think I can do this? Do you think I can reach my goals?' And I remember vividly saying to him, 'You'll only reach your goals in football if you become the right kinda man.' "

Pryor is young. He is a work in progress in that regard. The same uncertain state describes his quarterback skill set. His positives aren't big enough to offset the negatives, including a possible position change in the NFL to wide receiver.

NFL general managers who read Tressel's comments should see warning flags flying. Especially the Browns'.

Indians GM Chris Antonetti had to do something.

1. Let's start with this fact -- at least the Tribe made a deal. And at least, Kosuke Fukudome has to be better than the right-field platoon of Austin Kearns and Travis Buck. Those guys have combined for four homers, 22 RBI and a .222 average in 283 at-bats. With the Cubs, Fukudome is a .273 hitter with three homers and 13 RBI.

2. Sounds like a very minor upgrade, at least with those numbers, but Fukudome has a .374 on-base percentage, which would rank No. 12 in the American League. The Kearns/Buck combo was at .297. Those guys didn't reach base, didn't hit for power and didn't do much besides try hard.

3. I know there must be more coming from the Tribe. You can't play the Kosuke card and declare yourself the winner in the Central Division. But did you notice that the Tigers lost, 12-7, to the Angels on Thursday? If Fukudome helps the Indians win a game or two, it will matter.

4. It matters even more if Chris Antonetti can find an outfielder with some power. But at least the general manager noticed his team was no-hit Wednesday. And he reacted like the fans who said, "The Indians gotta do something!" And he became weary of Kearns/Buck in right field.

5. He also made a shrewd deal with the Cubs. Fukudome was being paid $13.5 million this season -- the final installment on a four-year, $48 million contract. The Indians will pay only $775,000 for the rest of the season. Antonetti gave up Carlton Smith, not really a prospect at Class AAA. Abner Abreu is a 21-year-old outfielder with some potential, but he's at Class A Kinston. You can't let him hold up a trade to aid the team right now.

6. This deal also means the Indians still have Jeanmar Gomez, David Huff and Zach McAllister as possibilities for a major trade. They only deal one of those young starters to make a major trade work. They need rotation depth -- but they still have one to trade.

7. Part of Fukudome's problems with the Cubs is that he was a superstar in Japan, and paid like one to play in Chicago. But in the majors, he's a fourth outfielder if your outfield is decent.

8. With Shin-Soo Choo and Grady Sizemore injured, Michael Brantley is the only outfielder who can be considered a respectable major-league starter. Ezequiel Carrera is a rookie getting his first look at the majors -- and he owns center field until further notice. It's that desperate right now. Now, it is Fukudome in right, a veteran at age 34.

9. This season, Fukudome is hitting .273 against righties and lefties. On the Indians, anyone hitting .273 against any kind of pitching looks attractive. In his first three seasons with the Cubs, he hit .262 (.794 OPS) against righties, .246 (.702 OPS) against lefties. He's 25-of-47 stealing bases in his MLB career, not exactly quick on the bases.

10. When the Cubs traded him, there was some discussion about his poor play after the All-Star break. The real trouble has been September, when he's a .199 hitter. But his best month in the majors has been August -- .275. This is a small deal that may remain a small deal -- but it's definitely a deal the Indians needed to make.

It will be Woods' first tour action since May 12. He has been sidelined with knee and Achilles problems.

Chuck Crow, The Plain DealerTiger Woods playing last August at the Bridgestone Invitational in Akron, where he finished 78th.

Tiger Woods has announced on his website that he will play in next week's World Golf Championships-Bridgestone Invitational at Akron's Firestone Country Club.

From Woods' website:

"I'm excited to get back out there," said Woods, who has been idle since withdrawing from The PLAYERS Championship after nine holes on May 12 after sustaining a mild medial collateral ligament strain to his left knee and aggravating a strained left Achilles tendon.

Both injuries were originally occurred during the third round of the Masters, when Woods hit a recovery shot out of pine straw on the 17th hole. He went on to shoot 74, but followed with a 67 on Sunday and tied for fourth.

Following the advice of his doctors, Woods has rested and rehabbed his left leg, and just recently began hitting practice balls.

Woods won the tournament at Firestone seven times. He tied for 78th last season, with a career-worst 18-over-par finish.

Woods has won 14 majors, four short of Jack Nicklaus' record. He has not won a major since the 2008 U.S. Open and, hampered by injuries and the aftermath of the sex scandal that cost him his marriage, has not won any tournament since 2009. Woods, ranked No. 1 through most of his professional career, has dropped to 21st in the Official World Golf Rankings. 

The Plain Dealer's Tim Rogers reported on Tuesday that Firestone officials were hopeful that the buzz about Woods' possible return next week would turn out to be true:

The Associated Press has reported Woods is expected to make "a big announcement" sometime this week. A similar situation took place when the Golf Channel reported July 11 that Woods was going to make a big announcement. That announcement turned out to be more about Woods' agent, Mark Steinberg, joining Excel Sports Management after a long career at IMG, than it did about Woods.

WGC-Bridgestone executive director Don Padgett III said Woods has not yet entered the tournament, set for Aug. 4-7. Woods has until Friday at 5 p.m. to enter. The fact that he has not entered a couple of days before the deadline is not uncommon, Padgett said.

"Traditionally, Tiger has not entered our event until basically the last minute," he said. "So, we have until Friday at 5 p.m. We would be thrilled to have him."

The Browns announced the dates and times of their 2011 training camp practices open to the public this year. All practice sessions are at the team's Berea training facility, unless noted. Admission to practices is free. Fans can enter the Berea facility through the Beech Street entrance. Parking is available on the campus of Baldwin-Wallace College near the intersection...

The Browns announced the dates and times of their 2011 training camp practices open to the public this year. All practice sessions are at the team's Berea training facility, unless noted. Admission to practices is free. Fans can enter the Berea facility through the Beech Street entrance. Parking is available on the campus of Baldwin-Wallace College near the intersection of Beech Street and Bagley Road. Call the Browns Training Camp Hotline at 877-6BROWNS (877-627-6967) for updates on practice times. Fans can also get updated information at cleveland.com/browns

2011 Cleveland Browns training camp schedule

(Dates and times subject to change. Practices moved indoors are closed to the public.)

Sunday: Helmets, 8:45 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.

Monday: Full pads, 8:45 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.

Tuesday: Full pads, 8:45 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.

Wednesday: Practice closed to the public.

Thursday, Aug. 4: Full pads, 8:45 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.

Friday, Aug. 5: Full pads, 8:45 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.

Saturday, Aug. 6: Family Day Practice at Cleveland Browns Stadium (full pads), 2:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Sunday, Aug. 7: Practice closed to the public.

Monday, Aug. 8: Full pads, 10:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Tuesday, Aug. 9: Full pads, 8:45 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.

Wednesday, Aug. 10: Full pads, 8:45 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.

Thursday, Aug. 11: Full pads, 8:45 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.

Friday, Aug. 12: No practice.

Saturday, Aug. 13: Browns vs. Packers at Cleveland Browns Stadium, 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, Aug. 14: No practice.

Monday, Aug. 15: Full pads, 8:45 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.

Tuesday, Aug. 16: Full pads, 8:45 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.

Wednesday, Aug. 17: Practice closed to the public.

Thursday, Aug. 18: No practice.

Friday, Aug. 19: Browns vs. Detroit Lions at Cleveland Browns Stadium, 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, Aug. 20: No practice.

Sunday, Aug. 21: Full pads, 8:45 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.

Monday, Aug. 22: Full pads, 8:45 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.

Tuesday, Aug. 23: Full pads, 8:45 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.

A combination of good health, a new contract, the conversion to the 4-3 defense and new practice rules has Browns linebacker D'Qwell Jackson excited about his comeback from two pectoral muscle injuries.

View full sizeJohn Kuntz, The Plain DealerLinebacker D'Qwell Jackson, shown during last year's training camp, says he's ready to play after missing most of the previous two seasons because of injuries.

CLEVELAND, Ohio — Browns linebacker D'Qwell Jackson, who missed the team's past 22 games because of pectoral muscle tears two years in a row, said he's feeling great and ready to strap on the pads again.

He hasn't played in a game since Oct. 18, 2009, when he tore one pectoral muscle. The other was torn in last year's training camp a week before the first exhibition game.

"When you injure yourself one time, you have your doubts," Jackson said. "When it happens again, you think, 'What else can happen?' My approach this year obviously [is] to stay on top of the playbook and just taking care of my body day in and day out.

"I've done enough things this off-season, I won't second-guess myself when I go out there. There will be some rust to knock off. But I've been doing this my whole life."

Jackson feels blessed to have been offered a one-year contract in March by the Browns despite his recent injury history.

"When they presented the opportunity for me to come back, I jumped at it," he said. "I didn't know I'd have a job."

Jackson, 28, projects as the starting middle linebacker in coordinator Dick Jauron's 4-3 defensive alignment. The switch from the 3-4 excites him, too.

"It's definitely going to cover me up, having four big guys in front of me," he said. "That's a dream come true for a guy like me. The 3-4, I was productive in it. The 4-3, I'm familiar with it from my college days.

"I was definitely excited when we drafted [defensive tackle] Phil Taylor. This guy was a stud in high school and a stud in college. To draft a D-lineman like that, I'm licking my chops."

Jackson believes the new, lighter practice rules written in the collective bargaining agreement will extend the careers of veteran players.

"It's definitely going to benefit everyone," he said. "These guys nowadays are big and fast and strong. More so than when I came into the league."

Moore on his quarterback: Tight end Evan Moore loves what he's seen of second-year quarterback Colt McCoy in the off-season.

"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 off-season workouts. He basically ran our workouts. That's what you want your quarterback to do."

Moore will sign the club's one-year tender of about $2 million, he said, and be on the field for the club's first practice. He said he feels great after having off-season surgery on a sports hernia.

He's a proven receiver out of the backfield.

BEREA -- The Browns signed Green Bay free agent running back Brandon Jackson to a two-year deal for $4.5 million, per Adam Schefter of ESPN.

 Jackson, 25, has the pass catching skills desired by coach Pat Shurmur. He caught 43 passes with the Packers last year and 110 in four seasons as a third-down back in Green Bay.

 Jackson is 5-10 and 216 pounds. He started 13 games last year as the Packers suffered multiple injuries at running back. Jackson rushed 190 times for 703 yards and three touchdowns in 2010.
 
 His career rushing numbers are 347 carries for 1,329 yards (3.8 average) and seven touchdowns.

The Indians acquire Cubs outfielder Kosuke Fukudome on Thursday for two prospects. GM Chris Antonetti says he's not ready to stop there and will keep trying to improve the team through trades.

Charles Rex Arbogast, APNew Indians outfielder Kosuke Fukudome.

CLEVELAND, Ohio — If newly acquired Indians outfielder Kosuke Fukudome didn't ring your bell, don't burn your Chief Wahoo jersey just yet. GM Chris Antonetti is still trying to improve his second-place ballclub, which picked up a half-game on the AL Central-leading Tigers on Thursday without even playing.

"We feel we're better today than we were yesterday," said Antonetti, talking Thursday about the trade that brought the 34-year-old Fukudome to Cleveland from the Cubs for prospects Abner Abreu and right-hander Carlton Smith. "We improved incrementally."

The deadline for making deals without waivers is Sunday at 4 p.m. Should the Indians stay in contention through the heat of August, the next deadline to ponder is Aug. 31. Waivers will be needed on traded players at that point, but it's the last time a team can add help and have it be eligible for the postseason.

"We're going to look at any way we can improve our run scoring and run prevention," Antonetti said. "Fukudome helps us with both those things."

Antonetti said he's open to adding a pitcher or another hitter. He said just because Fukudome is scheduled to get most of the playing time in right field, and Shin-Soo Choo and Grady Sizemore are scheduled to come off the disabled list sometime between late August and early September, he would consider adding another outfielder, who could supply immediate help in trying to reclaim first place in the AL Central.

He's not the only one talking that way.

"Hopefully, [this is] our first of a couple deals," Indians CEO Paul Dolan said at the Cleveland Indians Charities golf tournament Thursday. "We're trying to add to the team this year with the hope of competing in September and into October."

The Indians have had on-going talks with the Dodgers about right-hander Hiroki Kuroda and infielder Jamey Carroll. Those talks have hit a lull over the past few days, but they don't appear to be dead.

Various rumors have the Indians pursuing Colorado right-hander Ubaldo Jimenez, who won 19 games last year, but had struggled this year until a recent hot streak. Jimenez is making $2.8 million this year, $4.2 million next year and has club option worth $5.75 million in 2013. That's called a club-friendly contract, which is one of the reasons so many teams are interested.

The price for Jimenez will be high and until recently it didn't sound as if the Indians were willing to meet it. Perhaps they've changed their mind, which means they might be willing to deal part of the prospect quartet of Drew Pomeranz, Jason Kipnis, Lonnie Chisenhall and Alex White.

Should the Rockies or Dodgers want a big-league ready pitcher in return for Jimenez or Kuroda, the Indians have several options.

The Tribe has been linked to San Diego outfielder Ryan Ludwick and right-hander Aaron Harang and Oakland outfielder Josh Willingham. Carlos Quentin would certainly look good in a Tribe uniform if the White Sox continue to deal veterans as they did with Edwin Jackson and Mark Teahen on Wednesday. The Indians and Chicago, however, haven't made a deal since 1994.

Fukudome was hitting .273 (80-for-293) with three homers and 13 RBI in 87 games this season with the Cubs. The left-handed hitter has 46 walks, 57 strikeouts and a .742 OPS.

Travis Buck was designated for assignment to make room for Fukudome, who is scheduled to join the team tonight against Kansas City. He'll wear No. 1. Buck and Austin Kearns were platooning in right following the injuries to Choo and Sizemore.

The Indians had to do a lot of talking to land a guy with only 13 RBI. Fukudome is in the last year for a four-year, $48 million deal. The deal included a limited no-trade clause. The Indians were one of the teams on his no-trade list.

"I won't go into details, but through our conversations with the Cubs, we found out what was important to Fukudome," said Antonetti, regarding how he bypassed the no-trade clause. "I think the idea of playing for a contender and getting regular at-bats appealed to him."

Fukudome is a free agent at the end of the year. He'll be a Type B free agent. If the Indians offer him arbitration and he declines, they could get a draft pick as compensation next June as long as he signs with another big-league club. Of course, that depends on if there are any changes in the compensation rules when a new basic agreement is approved.

"Right now he's going to start in right field," manager Manny Acta said.

As for what happens when Sizemore and Choo return, the Indians are in a live-for-today mode.

"I know we have [Choo and Sizemore] out. You've got to think about tomorrow, and we'll cross the bridge when we get there," Acta said. "Hopefully, those guys can get healthy and help us out, but Kosuke has been a good player the last couple of years and he's going to give us some stability in the outfield."

Fukudome is making $13.5 million this year. The Indians are on the hook for $775,000 of that.

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

He's hitting .273 against righties and lefties.

"I think he's a spark for our lineup," right-hander Josh Tomlin said. "Knowing that they're adding players gives us, I guess, that mentality that we are going to go forward and try to win this thing this year."

Abreu, 22, is hitting .243 (82-for-377) with 16 doubles, five triples, 12 homers, 34 RBI and 42 runs for Class A Kinston. He's a 6-3, 182-pound outfielder.

Smith, 25, is the brother of former Indians No.1 pick Corey Smith. He's 2-3 with a 4.50 ERA in 34 games at Class AAA Columbus. Smith is 6-1 and 219 pounds. He's been in the Indians' system for seven years.

Plain Dealer reporter Bill Lubinger contributed to this report.

On the eve of the start of training camp, the Browns agreed to terms with several players, including two free agents and two draft picks.

View full sizeEric Gay, Associated PressBrandon Jackson will fit the role of third-down back in the Browns' West Coast offense.

CLEVELAND, Ohio — The Browns joined the frenzied pace of player transactions Thursday when they reached agreements with several players, including two rookie draft choices and their first unrestricted free agents.

They also were expecting to formally sign franchise kicker Phil Dawson and restricted free-agent tight end Evan Moore today, so they will report to the opening of coach Pat Shurmur's first Browns training camp.

Agreeing to contracts were defensive end Jabaal Sheard and wide receiver Greg Little, who were second-round picks. The Browns also reached free-agent deals with players from the past two Super Bowl champions -- free safety Usama Young of New Orleans and running back Brandon Jackson of Green Bay.

The Browns also confirmed the release of quarterback Jake Delhomme, along with linebacker Eric Alexander and tight end Tyson DeVree.

Here's the breakdown on the transactions:

• Young, of Kent State, was the first unrestricted free agent to come to terms with the Browns. They targeted him when teams were allowed to begin negotiations Tuesday and actually reached agreement with him that day. The Browns view Young as the new free safety, replacing two-year starter Abe Elam, who probably will leave in free agency.

Young, 26, was drafted as a cornerback in the third round by New Orleans in 2007. He was first or second in special teams tackles his first two seasons as a reserve defensive back. He started two games at cornerback.

The Saints moved Young to free safety his next two years, where he continued as a top reserve and special teams core player. Young, 6-0 and 200 pounds, played in 52 games, starting six, and was very much a part of the Saints team that rose from the depths of Hurricane Katrina and won Super Bowl XLIV against Indianapolis following the 2009 season.

On his Twitter account, Young bade farewell to Saints fans with the message: "NOLA, Thanks 4 giving me memories of a lifetime. On the field, and even more, the community. I'll forever love the city."

• Jackson, 25, fits the role of third-down back desired by Shurmur in his West Coast offense. He's adept as a pass catcher and also developed as a dependable blitz pickup specialist.

Jackson, 5-10 and 216 pounds, caught 43 passes with the Packers last year and 110 in four seasons in Green Bay. In the Packers' run to the Super Bowl title last year, injuries thrust him into a starting role for 13 games. He had a career-high 703 yards rushing on 190 attempts.

View full sizeAPDefensive lineman Jabaal Sheard.

• Sheard, the 37th overall pick of the draft, signed for $5.09 million over four years with a signing bonus of $2.25 million, according to reports. Little, 59th overall, received $3.32 million over four years with a bonus of $920,000.

When drafted, each was being counted on to make immediate impacts in their rookie seasons. Sheard could be rushed in as the starting right end in coordinator Dick Jauron's new, 4-3 alignment. Little is the lone new player at wide receiver, a position viewed by outsiders as a weakness, though the club disputes that.

• Dawson, the only full-time kicker the Browns have known in their expansion era, agreed to sign the team's franchise tender for about $3.25 million, a league source confirmed.

Dawson reportedly was looking forward to free agency and perhaps joining a contending team and was not pleased with being franchised by the Browns. But General Manager Tom Heckert said he had a "very good conversation" with Dawson on Wednesday and said he expected him to report to camp and sign the deal.

• Moore will sign the team's second-round tender, which is for just under $2 million, he said Thursday.

"Ever since Coach [Mike] Holmgren got here along with Tom Heckert, I just feel this place is going in the right direction," Moore said. "There's no place I want to be but here. Great fans, great people. It was a no-brainer for me. I feel my role for this organization is on a good trajectory."

The Browns expect more players to agree to terms by the end of today's first day of training camp. First-round pick Phil Taylor has been in town for a couple days, though no deal was apparent on Thursday. Draft picks Owen Marecic, Jordan Cameron, Jason Pinkston, Buster Skrine and Eric Hagg were close to agreeing to terms, according to sources.

Browne shoots a 64, but warns there is plenty of golf left to be played. Mark O'Meara and Michael Allen are two shots behind.

View full sizeCarlos Osorio, Associated PressOlin Browne seems as surprised as anyone after his wedge shot on No. 8 rolled in for an eagle on Thursday during the first round of the U.S. Senior Open in Toledo.

With light overnight and early-morning rain softening the hard greens at the Inverness Club, general thinking was that the players in the U.S. Senior Open would be able to fire aggressively at the pins all day, setting up birdie opportunities.

Browne, a three-time winner in 17 years on the PGA Tour, took it one step further Thursday, making two eagles en route to a record-equaling opening round of 7-under 64 and the first-round lead.

Browne seemed unimpressed with his 64, which equaled his lowest round of the season and gave him a two-shot lead over Mark O'Meara and Michael Allen.

"There's two par 5s, right, and I made two eagles," he said. "That's not going to happen every day, is it? So, I just happened to get the right holes at the right time. And when that kind of thing happens, the dominoes fall into place and you post a great number."

He also issued a subtle warning.

"There's lots of golf left," he said.

"I'm not going to get caught up in the hoopla today."

O'Meara and Allen were bogey-free in shooting 66s and PGA Tour caddie Damon Green, former U.S. Open champ Steve Jones and Mark Wiebe were tied for fourth at 67. Seven players, including former PGA Championship winner Jeff Sluman and U.S. Open champ Corey Pavin, are at 68.

Browne, winless in his three seasons on the Champions Tour, but with five top-10 finishes this season, began his round on the more demanding back nine and birdied two of his first three holes. He made the turn in 1-under 33 after making his lone bogey on the 476-yard 16th hole, the toughest on the course.

Browne shot 31 on the front. After making a 5-foot putt for birdie on the 170-yard third hole, he went eagle, par, birdie, par, eagle on the next five.

A 295-yard drive on the 511-yard fourth led to the first eagle. He used a 3-hybrid to hit a great shot into the green and made a 6-foot putt to get to 4 under. He made a 9-foot putt for birdie on the 465-yard sixth and two holes later, he laid up to 97 yards with a 4-iron and watched as his wedge shot landed about 2 feet beyond the hole but spun back into the cup.

"Golf in general is about patience, right, especially in a USGA championship," said Browne, who tied Bruce Fleischer (2000), R.W. Eaks (2002) and Craig Stadler (2005) for the lowest opening round in tournament history. "So, there's a lot to be thankful for today. I'm really pleased with the way I played, but there is a lot to be done."

Allen birdied two of his first three holes by making 10-foot putts.

Like Browne, O'Meara took advantage of the front nine, reeling off three straight birdies to get to 3 under after four holes. He began the back nine with successive birdies on 10 and 11 and was level the rest of the way, saving par with a 22-foot putt on No. 17.

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

Normally the man on the bag as the caddie for former Masters champ Zach Johnson, Damon Green begins his first U.S. Senior Open at the Inverness Club with a 4-under 67 and a share of fourth place.

View full sizeAP file photoBruce Lietzke, the 2003 U.S. Senior Open champion, had to drop out in the middle of Thursday's first round in Toledo because of an ailing shoulder.

Normally the man on the bag as the caddie for former Masters champ Zach Johnson, Green was just the man as he began his first U.S. Senior Open at the Inverness Club with a 4-under 67 and a share of fourth place.

Like many caddies, Green, 51, has some character and some game. He has been known to perform a chicken dance after making a big putt, a tradition he started in 1995. He lifts his putter into the air and struts to the hole, mimicking the walk of a chicken. He did it twice Thursday, once after making eagle on the 511-yard fourth hole when his second shot from 211 yards got caught up in the thick rough but bounced out and rolled to within 18 inches of the hole.

"I gave [the crowd] a little bit of it," said Green, who came close to earning a conditional exemption on the Champions Tour at the qualifying school last winter. Playing the nines in reverse order, he repeated the dance when he birdied his final hole, the 413-yard ninth. His drive went about 330 yards and his second shot stopped four feet from the hole.

Highs and lows: The 476-yard, par-4 16th hole played the toughest on the day with a 4.561 stroke average. The 511-yard, par-5 fourth was the easiest with a 4.622 average

Falling like rain: Former Masters champ Craig Stadler and 2003 Senior Open champ Bruce Lietzke withdrew Thursday, bringing the number of withdrawals to 10. Stadler, citing a sore back, pulled out before the tournament began and Lietzke called it quits with a bad shoulder after going 8 over through 13 holes.

Casting call: California amateur Dave Gaskins, 58, reached his first Senior Open by winning a playoff in a qualifier after pitching in from 20 yards on the final hole for birdie. Gaskins, who played three seasons at Stanford, is good friends with John Norville, co-writer of the movie "Tin Cup."

Now a financial manager, Gaskins contributed to the movie after Norville asked him for a good cure for the shanks. He offered a serious cure but Norville wanted something funny.

"So, I said, 'You take all tour change and put it in one pocket, double-knot your left shoe and put your hat on backward.' John put that into the film."

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

Shelley Duncan has a three-run homer but it's not enough for Columbus as the Class AAA Clippers lose at Syracuse.

View full sizeChuck Crow, Plain Dealer file photoAkron's Matt McBride, shown in June, had two home runs on Thursday night for the Aeros.

AAA Columbus Clippers

Chiefs 6, Clippers 5 Right fielder Shelley Duncan (.214) hit a three-run homer, and designated hitter Nick Johnson (.220) hit a two-run homer, but Columbus lost an International League contest in Syracuse, N.Y.

Notes: RH Justin Germano, who pitched a perfect game in Tuesday's 3-0 win over Syracuse, has struck out 33 and not walked a batter in his past 35 innings.

AA Akron Aeros

Aeros 7, SeaWolves 4 First baseman Matt McBride (.294) homered twice, right-hander Cory Burns (2.66) got his 28th save and host Akron downed Erie (Pa.) in Eastern League play.

Notes: LH T.J. McFarland (7-5, 3.97) is 5-1 with a 2.20 ERA in his past seven games, striking out 34 and walking 12 in 45 innings. . . . LH Drew Pomeranz (0-1, 2.57), the Indians' first pick and the fifth overall in the 2010 draft, has struck out 17, walked six and allowed 10 hits in 14 innings while making three starts with the Aeros.

Advanced A Kinston Indians

Dash 6, Indians 3 Center fielder Tyler Holt (.267) doubled, tripled and scored two runs, but Kinston lost in Winston-Salem, N.C.

A Lake County Captains

Captains 5, Hot Rods 4 Third baseman Giovanny Urshela (.239) and DH Kevin Fontanez (.200) each had two hits, and RH Clayton Ehlert (1.74) earned his 12th save for host Lake County against Bowling Green (Ky.).

Trevor Immelman's best round of the year reinforced the former Masters champion's belief that he can regain his top form less than two years after wrist surgery. The South African shot a 6-under 64 Thursday to take the first-round lead by a stroke over five others at the Greenbrier Classic.

Trevor Immelman, of South Africa, looks at his tee shot on the eighth hole during the first round of the Greenbrier Classic golf tournament at the Greenbrier in White Sulphur Springs, W.Va., Thursday, July 28, 2011. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)

WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.Va. — Trevor Immelman's best round of the year reinforced the former Masters champion's belief that he can regain his top form less than two years after wrist surgery.

The South African shot a 6-under 64 Thursday to take the first-round lead by a stroke over five others at the Greenbrier Classic.

"I hope I'm close," Immelman said. "You never know with this game. It's been a frustrating couple of years not being able to swing the way I want to swing and practice the way I want to practice. For the most part this year, I've been able to get back to working on the things I used to work on back then.

"I'm definitely seeing signs of improvement. Albeit slow progress, it's been progress."

Shooting 65s were Gary Woodland, Billy Mayfair, Derek Lamely, Webb Simpson and Australian Steven Bowditch.

The Old White TPC course underwent a makeover since Stuart Appleby shot 59 in the final round last year to beat Jeff Overton by a stroke. The renovations included lengthened tee boxes and reseeded greens that are less receptive to approach shots.

The course surrendered 81 under-par rounds on the first day last year; 41 players broke par Thursday.

Immelman, who failed to advance to weekend play in the 2010 tournament, carded seven birdies and a bogey. Although erratic off the tee, his iron play was solid. He missed one green in regulation and five of his birdies came from less than 11 feet.

Immelman began having trouble with his left wrist at the end of 2008. He had surgery in October 2009 and underwent several months of rehabilitation. The closest he's come to a top-10 finish in the past three seasons is a tie for 12th at the Arnold Palmer Invitational in March.

Although he's missed the cut four times in his last six tournaments, Immelman is poised to improve on his No. 108 position in FedEx Cup points. He failed to qualify for the playoffs the last two seasons.

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

"For the most part this year I've been working on some of those old feels and trying to get some consistency back," Immelman said. "I've seen signs of some good play and some good shots at the right time. I'm just trying to stay patient with it."

The top 125 in the FedEx standings qualify for the playoff opener at The Barclays next month. Mayfair is 113th, while former Nationwide Tour players Bowditch (128th) and Lamely (195) are among others trying to move up.

Simpson, in his fifth year on the PGA Tour, is still chasing his first career win and hopes to earn a spot in next week's Bridgestone Invitational. The top 50 in the world rankings receive exemptions. He's 53rd.

Mayfair is still looking for his first win since 1998. He earned his PGA Tour card for 2011 after winning qualifying school in December.

Mayfair's lone top 10 this year was a tie for eighth at the Zurich Classic. Earlier this month he was 9 under midway through the John Deere Classic but finished 7 under.

"It's been a disappointing year," Mayfair said. "But as we all say, one week out here can change a lot of things."

Lamely won the Puerto Rico Open last year but has missed the cut in 25 of 39 events since.

After starting with 12 straight pars, Lamely made birdies on five of his last six holes Thursday, including a chip-in on the par-3 18th.

Woodland, whose first tour win came at the Transitions Championship in March, holed his approach shot from 101 yards for eagle at No. 4 and improved to 5 under after a birdie at No. 14. He had a chance to tie for the lead but overshot the green on the par-5 17th and made bogey. He finished with a 4-footer for birdie on No. 18.

Two strokes behind Immelman were Kyle Stanley, Chris DiMarco, Canadian David Hearn and Brendon de Jonge of Zimbabwe.

The crowd favorite was the group that included Phil Mickelson, Tom Watson and Appleby. It marked the first pairing together for Watson and Mickelson.

Mickelson, who can take over the FedEx Cup points lead with a win, shot a 70 that included five birdies and five bogeys. He then left to meet up with his family for a scheduled white-water rafting trip.

"That's the game plan," he said.

Appleby bogeyed his first two holes and shot 71 while Watson, the Greenbrier's pro emeritus who skipped this week's U.S. Senior Open in Toledo, Ohio, shot 75.

"Very different golf course," Appleby said. "I was definitely the third wheel out there."

NOTES: Sean O'Hair withdrew after winning last week's Canadian Open, which earned him a spot at Bridgestone ... Overton, the 2010 Greenbrier runner-up, shot 74. ... J.B. Holmes, who tied Sam Snead's course record of 60 last year before Appleby erased it, had a 76 Thursday that included double bogeys on both par 5s. ... Only four players had bogey-free rounds: Lamely, Will Strickler (67), J.P. Hayes (68), and Spencer Levin (70).

Some stat trends for Columbus Clippers, Akron Aeros, Kinston Indians, Lake County Captains, Mahoning Valley Scrappers and Crushers' players.

MINOR LEAGUE NOTES

AAA Columbus Clippers

Notes: RH Justin Germano, who pitched a perfect game in Tuesday’s 3-0 win over the Syracuse (N.Y.) Chiefs, has struck out 33 and not walked a batter in his last 35 2/3 innings....OF Shelley Duncan (.214) was 2-for-5 with a three-run home run in the Clippers' 6-5 loss to the Chiefs in Syracuse on Thursday night. He was 0-for-22 in his previous six games....1B-DH Nick Johnson (.220) is 8-for-25 (.320) with three home runs, two doubles and five walks in his last eight games....OF Jerad Head (.282) was 2-for-5 with a double on Thursday night, after going 2-for-26 (.077) in his previous eight games....RH closer Josh Judy (4-2, 14 saves, 2.65) has not allowed an earned run in his last 15 games, pitching 17 innings with 23 strikeouts, and allowing nine hits and eight walks....RH reliever Chen Lee (2-0, 0.61) has pitched 14 2/3 innings with the Clippers, striking out 22, walking four and allowing 11 hits.

AA Akron Aeros

Notes: 1B-OF Matt McBride (.294) belted two home runs in the Aeros' 7-4 win over the Erie (Pa.) SeaWolves on Thursday night, and is 10-for-26 (.385) with three doubles, two homers and seven RBI in seven games since returning to Akron from Columbus....OF Jordan Henry (.263) is 12-for-40 (.300) with eight walks, nine RBI, eight runs and four stolen bases in his last 10 games....LH T.J. McFarland (7-5, 3.97) is 5-1 with a 2.20 ERA in his last seven games, striking out 34 and walking 12 in 45 innings....LH Drew Pomeranz (0-1, 2.57), the Indians’ first pick and the fifth overall in the 2010 draft, has struck out 17, walked six and allowed 10 hits in 14 innings while making three starts with the Aeros. He is 3-3 with a 1.98 ERA in 18 combined starts with Akron and Kinston, striking out 112, walking 38 and holding opponents to a .202 batting average, including just three home runs, in 91 innings....RH reliever Matt Langwell (4-1, three saves, 2.72) is 2-0 in his last five games, giving up one run and striking out 11 in 8 1/3 innings....RH Austin Adams (7-8, 3.99) is 2-0 with a 2.84 ERA in 25 1/3 innings over his last four starts.

Advanced A Kinston Indians

Notes: The Indians lost to the Dash, 6-3, at Winston-Salem (N.C.) on Thursday night....RH closer Preston Guilmet (1-1, 1.70) is second in the Carolina League with 26 saves. In 42 1/3 innings over 38 games, he has struck out 45, walked seven and held opponents to a .183 batting average....RH reliever Toru Murata (0-2, two saves, 3.28) has pitched 10 scoreless innings in his last seven games, earning one save while allowing just two hits, striking out 13 and walking four....DH-IF Jeremie Tice (.275) is 12-for-39 (.308) with four homers, two doubles and 10 RBI in his last 10 games....OF Tyler Holt (.267) is 16-for-38 (.421) with two doubles, one triple, six walks, 11 runs and three stolen bases in his last 10 games. He has 25 stolen bases in 30 attempts this season.

A Lake County Captains

Notes: OF Carlos Moncrief (.243) is 13-for-43 (.302) with five home runs, one double, one triple, 13 runs and 10 RBI in his last 10 games....OF Brian Heere (.256) is 13-for-31 (.419) with a homer and double in his last nine games....SS Kevin Fontanez (.200), at DH, was 2-for-3 with an RBI, run and walk in Thursday night's 5-4 Captains win over the Bowling Green (Ky.) Hot Rods. He had been 1-for-20 in his previous five games....RH reliever Clayton Ehlert (1-2, 12 saves, 1.74) has allowed one earned run on 10 hits in his last 18 innings. 

A Mahoning Valley Scrappers

Notes: The Scrappers lost, 10-7, to the Lowell (Mass.) Spinners on Thursday night....SS Tony Wolters (.313) is on an eight-game hitting streak, going 16-for-33 (.485) with three doubles, four walks, five RBI, six runs and three stolen bases....2B Todd Hankins (.244) is 10-for-30 (.333) with two doubles, one homer, six RBI and two stolen bases in his last eight games....RH reliever Cody Allen (2-1, 2.45) has pitched six scoreless innings, striking out 11, in his last three games....RH reliever Nathan Striz (2-2, one save, 2.45) is 2-1 with one save and a 1.93 ERA in his last eight games, allowing just nine hits in 14 innings.

Independent Lake Erie Crushers

Notes: The Crushers lost, 8-2, to the Joliet (Ill.) Jammers on Thursday night....3B Jason Taylor (.269) is 14-for-40 (.350) with five doubles, two homers, 10 RBI, 10 walks and seven runs in his last 12 games....RH Randy Sturgill has made four starts and four relief appearances for the Crushers, going 4-0 with a 2.73 ERA in 26 1/3 innings, striking out 17 and walking six.

Man's condition was upgraded to fair this week after attack that apparently had nothing to do with incident last July, when he drew the wrath of Indians fans by wearing a James' Miami Heat jersey.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Matthew Bellamy, the man who caused a commotion at an Indians game last summer by wearing a LeBron James jersey after James left the Cavaliers for the Miami Heat, was hospitalized this week after being attacked early Monday morning.

Emil Whitis reported the story for the Sandusky Register on Wednesday. Whitis wrote that Bellamy's condition had been upgraded to fair by a Toledo hospital after he had been listed in serious condition as a result of the attack on him at about 3 a.m. Monday.

Bellamy and a girlfriend attended an Indians-Yankees game last July 28, just 20 days after James announced that he was departing Cleveland as a free agent. He wore a James' Heat jersey, No. 6, prompting fans to throw food at him and the girl, and to shout insults at them. Police escorted the couple out of the stadium.

There are no known reports that the incident at the Indians' game had anything to do with Monday's attack on Bellamy.

Emil Whitis wrote for the Sandusky Register:

Witnesses told police that Bellamy, 30, didn't fight back when Robert Horton, 23, jumped out of a car and hit him three times.

Bellamy had just left Louie's Bar with a group of friends, said Kelsey Gribben, who was among those friends.

When the group stopped at a house to drop someone off, a car pulled in behind them. Horton got out of the car, yelled something and went straight at Bellamy, Gribben said.

Bellamy hit his head on concrete when he fell, and two blows that followed also bounced his head off the pavement, Gribben said. When someone called police, Horton took off.

Whitis wrote on Wednesday that police had issued a warrant for Horton's arrest.

Video: Via YouTube.com, a July 29, 2010 report from Cleveland's Channel 19 Action News including video of Matthew Bellamy wearing the LeBron James jersey to an Indians game last summer, and a 19 Action News interview with Bellamy:

Wisconsin coach Bret Bielema wishes Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor was still around so the Badgers could make him eat his words about last year's Badger victory.

View full sizePaul Beaty, Associated PressWisconsin head coach Bret Bielema hasn't forgotten what he perceived as a diss from former Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor.

CHICAGO — Quick hits from Thursday's first day of the Big Ten football meetings:

Missing Pryor: We found at least one person who is going to miss former Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor, the three-year starter now preparing himself for the NFL supplemental draft.

It's Wisconsin's Bret Bielema, the coach of the favorite in the Leaders Division who jumped back and forth Thursday between saying what happens at Ohio State doesn't affect the Badgers and making interesting comments about the Buckeyes.

The following, about Pryor's words after Wisconsin's victory over the Buckeyes last season, was completely unrelated to the question Bielema was asked.

"There wasn't any question who won that football game," Bielema said. "The only bad thing about Terrelle leaving is the week after, he called it a fluke, they'd beat us nine out of 10 games. So we really wanted to play that game against him [this year]. Unfortunately, we won't. But our kids know what they did last year."

Pryor's complete quote the week after the Wisconsin loss, after beating Purdue, was, "I think if we played nine out of 10 games, we beat Wisconsin."

Even without Pryor, continue to circle Wisconsin's primetime Oct. 29 visit to Ohio State on your calendar. Now circle it once more.

Delany's law: Conference meetings this year are for conference commissioners to say everything about the NCAA that needs to be fixed. And Big Ten Commissioner Jim Delany didn't pass up his chance.

He agreed with the numerous reforms -- including simplifying the rulebook and increasing scholarships to include the full cost of attendance -- previously laid out by SEC boss Mike Slive. And he agreed with ACC Commissioner John Swofford that college sports is at a "tipping point."

"It could probably fairly be described as a system established in the '50s and stuck in the '70s," Delany said of the NCAA's governance of sports and athletes. "I think that there's going to be a need to really look at it, look at it seriously, upgrade it for the 21st century."

Delany said some reforms could come within a year, others over a longer period of time. But with a summit of university presidents scheduled for August and the leaders of the major conferences together on this, the pieces are in place for significant change. Commissioners backbite and snipe at each other over lots of things. But not this.

"I'm a pretty competitive guy on a lot of issues. But with regard to reform and change, I'm looking for allies," Delany said. "I'm looking for people to walk the walk with."

A handshake between rivals: It started with a swat. As Ohio State center Mike Brewster walked past first-year Michigan coach Brady Hoke, Hoke reached out and patted Brewster on the backside. Brewster spun and hands were extended, the Wolverine-Buckeye introduction made.

"Brady Hoke," the coach said with a smile.

Hoke and first-year OSU coach Luke Fickell also had the chance to talk briefly Thursday, though Hoke said he's known Fickell from the coaching world.

"He's a good guy," Hoke said. "I've known him for a while."

Guest interview: Ohio State safety Orhian Johnson jumped in with the last question during Fickell's interview session in the hallway after the coach's formal talk at the podium.

Johnson wanted to know what the players would be eating during preseason camp.

"It depends on how you perform as to what you will eat," Fickell said. "Either hot dogs or steaks. We'll determine who gets what by the end of the day."

Hammer 'em: Bielema made the strongest statement of the day about those who violate NCAA rules, saying "hammer the guys that don't do things right." Bielema said he was primarily talking about those that commit violations in recruiting, and he said later his words weren't directed at Ohio State.He then praised Jim Tressel, saying the former OSU coach was the most welcoming to him when he joined the Big Ten.

Tressel's NCAA problem "doesn't change my opinion of who he is or what he is or what he built," Bielema said.

Watch this: Two Buckeyes, Brewster and defensive lineman John Simon, were part of a 12-player preseason list of players to watch as chosen by Big Ten media. The league didn't conduct any other preseason voting this year, but a newspaper vote organized by the Plain Dealer earlier in the week named Nebraska to beat Wisconsin in the Big Ten title game, with Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson and Nebraska defensive lineman Jared Crick the preseason players of the year.

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

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

New Ohio State coach Luke Fickell was reminded at his first Big Ten meetings Thursday that being a coach means dressing and acting like a CEO sometimes.

View full sizePaul Beaty, Associated PressOhio State head coach Luke Fickell is learning that a big part of his job has nothing to do with football.

NCAA violations faced by Ohio State and Michigan the past two years were, in Delany's word, "embarrassing" to the schools and the conference. So he took the unusual step of gathering his coaches at these Big Ten kickoff meetings in Chicago, Fickell's first conference function as the Buckeyes' boss, and laying down the law.

"I wanted to call them together and speak to them candidly and from the heart, explain to them that in many ways the game is as healthy as it's ever been," Delany said. "But also, in my view, we have as a conference been hurt by the two institutions that have been involved in NCAA allegations and findings, and that I wanted to let them know that I expected them to lead their programs in a way that wouldn't put us in that circumstance again."

Now get out there and smile.

A shorts-and-a-T-shirt guy at a suit-and-tie gathering, Fickell faced the reality Thursday, and will face again today, that a chunk of his job description has nothing to do with coaching football. No coach enters the profession to talk to grandmas on recruiting visits or to reporters in news conferences, but you can't get into practice and on the sidelines without making those stops. So Fickell's day, smile in place, ran from that 9:30 a.m. Delany talk through a pre-dinner Big Ten meet-and-greet at a Chicago museum. Not all conference coaches attended that evening event, but Fickell did, feeling it was best to shake more hands.

Like the rest of the coaches Thursday, he autographed footballs for the conference, recorded a public service announcement, posed for photos, sat down with the Big Ten Network, ESPN and CBS and whipped through a row of radio interviews that included four different Nebraska stations, among others.

"I'm just glad that experience is over," Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald said, remembering his first Big Ten meetings in 2006. "The fear of the unknown will kill somebody, just going through all the different things you go through -- what's this like, what's that like. But the program is in great hands with Luke."

That was a common sentiment, but so was the continued backing for former OSU coach Jim Tressel. Yes, first-year Minnesota coach Jerry Kill had to face the fact that his two predecessors with the Gophers -- Tim Brewster and Glen Mason -- were at the meetings Thursday as media members. But Fickell remains in the company of Tressel's reputation, for good and bad.

"[Tressel] becomes a tragic hero in my respect, in my view," said Michigan State coach and former Tressel assistant and close friend, Mark Dantonio. "Usually tragic heroes have the ability to rise above it all in the end and that's what I'll look for in the end."

How's Fickell supposed to contend with that? He wasn't even certain how his first 15-minute address to the media would go, believing it was more of a luncheon than the 15-question exchange it was intended to be.

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"It's that not knowing that's one of the great things about what you do," Fickell said. "We want to challenge our guys mentally and throw them in situations they're not prepared for to see how they react. . . . I like the mental challenges at times to see how you can adapt to them."

The adaptation continues. Fickell has moved into the head coach's office, while new assistant Mike Vrabel has taken over Fickell's former office to coach the linebackers. A five-day vacation to North Carolina's Outer Banks took place only because it was preplanned and the house had been rented, though Fickell said he relaxed only for one day.

He doesn't carry his phone at times, which annoys his wife, and he was seen grabbing it out of his leather Ohio State bag just before a 3 p.m. lunch break Thursday. But with all the people reaching out to him since Tressel's resignation May 30, Fickell knows he could spend 25 percent of his day checking messages, rather than working, if he wasn't careful. He can't afford to spend his time that way.

Friends still call to see if Fickell wants to go golfing. He can't. He's far too busy. But for now, he's glad they still ask.

Ohio State football freshmen report Aug. 6, the rest of the players the next day, with preseason camp opening Aug. 8.

"That's more his comfort zone, on the field, because when he's around the football, he definitely feels more comfortable," OSU safety Orhian Johnson said. "With the people outside the [OSU] family, it's more walking on eggshells. He's definitely more comfortable in shorts and a shirt."

As Delany reminded his coaches, they are the CEOs of their programs. So today is another tie day. It's part of the football uniform, too.

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

Details of the contract have not been released.

View full sizePD fileEric Wright reportedly is headed to Detroit.

Wright was, quite frankly, terrible last season for the Browns. He even got benched midway through the season after struggling early on. However, he fits the Lions' mold perfectly — a young, talented player who comes on the cheap and with something to prove. There's no doubting that Wright has a lot of ability, but he must show that 2010 was a total fluke. Detroit may have its starting cornerbacks now in Alphonso Smith and Wright, but the Lions will likely continue to try and re-sign Chris Houston, who played well for them last season after coming over from Houston. If Houston comes back and pushes Wright down to the No. 3 corner spot, the Lions would have to feel pretty comfortable with their depth. So, the big-name free-agent corners don't appear headed for Detroit, but GM Martin Mayhew's taking a shot on Wright, who could turn out to be a steal.

Browns wanted to keep the cornerback despite a sub-par year in 2010.

John Kuntz / The Plain DealerEric Wright had a tough season in 2010.

BEREA -- The loss of cornerback Eric Wright, who agreed to contract terms early this morning with the Detroit Lions, was not planned by the Browns and will be felt.

 Despite a sub-par year for Wright in 2010, the Browns gave Wright a second-round tender in March when he was still considered a restricted free agent under terms of the old collective bargaining agreement.

 As a five-year player, Wright fell in that category that benefitted from the new labor deal. When unrestricted free agency reverted to players with four or more years experience, Wright became totally free and that's how the Browns lost him.

 He will start in Detroit and a change of scenery should help him recover from an abysmal season in 2010. The Lions have revamped their defensive front quickly and now feature two studs in the middle -- Ndamakung Suh, the 2010 defensive rookie of the year, and rookie first-round pick Nick Fairley.

 Wright's departure creates another need for the Browns. They have to find a cornerback with experience good enough to play as their third, or good enough to pair with starter Joe Haden and knock down Sheldon Brown to that role.

 Rookie fifth-round draft pick Buster Skrine of Tennessee-Chattanooga was not considered a candidate for that role when the Browns selected him.