It's official. Ubaldo Jimenez is a Cleveland Indians.

View full sizeAP photoUbaldo Jimenez has struggled some this season, but is regarded as one of baseball's best young pitchers.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Right-hander Ubaldo Jimenez passed the physical. The deal is done.

The Indians received Jimenez, who won 19 games last season, for right-handers Alex White, Joe Gardner, first baseman Matt McBride and left-hander Drew Pomeranz as a player to be named later. The deal was made last night, but it was contingent on Jimenez passing his physical.

He took the physical at the Indians' spring-training site in Goodyear, Ariz.

Plain Dealer's Cleveland Browns beat writer Mary Kay Cabot gives you the news of Day 2 at Training Camp in Berea. Watch video

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The dog days of summer are certainly here but there's a touch of autumn in the air. Monday marks the opening day of high school football training camps across Ohio, a fresh start for everyone. Rest assured, however, some unexpected developments will occur before the whistle sounds to signal the end of two-a-days. They always do.

Will Matt Hoyer be able to hold onto the starting QB position at St. Ignatius? - (Joshua Gunter, The Plain Dealer)

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The dog days of summer are certainly here but there's a touch of autumn in the air.

Monday marks the opening day of high school football training camps across Ohio, a fresh start for everyone. Rest assured, however, some unexpected developments will occur before the whistle sounds to signal the end of two-a-days. They always do.

Many questions seek answers, and themes are abundant heading into the 2011 season kickoff on Aug. 25. Here are some of the many storylines we'll all be following this summer and fall.

Glenville's unfamiliar role: Don't expect Glenville to be ranked at its normal high perch in The Plain Dealer's Preseason Top 25 later this month. Coach Ted Ginn Sr. graduated 16 starters and doesn't have his usual slew of big-name players.

The Tarblooders should win their 14th straight Senate Athletic League crown, but there's plenty of untested talent at quarterback, tailback, receiver, linebacker and special teams.

Open QB at St. Ignatius: The job as the Wildcats' starting quarterback is one to keep an eye on as 6-3, 185-pound senior Matt Hoyer, 6-2, 190-pound senior Eric Williams and 6-2, 175-pound junior lefty Mike LaManna contend.

Hoyer threw for 1,450 yards and 13 touchdowns during an injury-plagued junior campaign. Williams transferred from Oregon in January after passing for 1,405 yards and 13 touchdowns for Portland Jesuit. LaManna played on St. Ignatius' junior varsity team last season.

"When Eric came to our school I told all involved the job is wide open and it still is," said coach Chuck Kyle.

Arcs of triumph: Brush will contend for the NOC Lake Division title and it could qualify for the Division I postseason for the first since its 2005 playoff debut.

The Arcs have bonafide Division I college players in 6-6, 235-pound Michigan recruit Pharoah Brown, Louisville recruit Kevin Houchins Jr., 6-4, 300-pound Ball State-bound Carlutorbantu Zaramo and that's just for starters. They could have a few more big-college recruits by mid-season.

Big conference changes: Count the North Coast League Blue Division and Northeast Ohio Conference Valley Division among the toughest circuits in the state, next to Cincinnati Greater Catholic League's South Division.

The NCL Blue has added former independents Walsh Jesuit and Benedictine to a strong field of Archbishop Hoban, Lake Catholic, Padua and Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin.

In the NOC Valley, Mentor and Twinsburg have joined Solon, Strongsville, Brunswick and Medina. Moeller, St. Xavier, Colerain and LaSalle make up the Cincinnati Greater Catholic League South.

The NCL Blue and CGCL have 10 state titles each, while NOC Valley Division teams have been state runners-up four times.

Cold front in Akron City Series: The regular-season finale pitting Buchtel against Firestone will be intense. Not all is warm and fuzzy concerning the relationship between Firestone coach Tim Flossie and his former running back Ricky Powers, the coach at Buchtel.

Powers earned All-Ohio status and a scholarship to Michigan while playing for Flossie at Buchtel in the early 1990s. Their relationship soured this summer when four seniors tried to transfer from Firestone to Buchtel after transferring from the Buchtel district to Firestone as freshmen. The Ohio High School Athletic Association ruled the players ineligible. They have since transferred to Ellet and are eligible under an OHSAA bylaw that permits a superintendent to grant a second transfer if one school offers an academic program not available at the other.

Powerful teams, new coaches: Joe Schiavone is feeling the heat, but he says it's not because his first head coaching gig is at Twinsburg, which is riding a three-year playoffs streak.

"I've always put pressure on myself," said Schiavone, a Tigers assistant last year. "Our tradition began a few years ago, so the players know what's expected of them."

Adding fuel is Twinsburg's promotion from the Northeast Ohio Conference's River Division to the more physical and challenging Valley Division.

"We're looking forward to it," said junior tailback John Barton, who believes Schiavone's disciplinary style of coaching was needed. "People always said we weren't playing the best competition but they won't be able to say that anymore."

It's not quite the same at Medina, where Ray Hradek takes over as coach after head and assistant jobs at Midpark, Brunswick and Baldwin-Wallace.

Hradek succeeds Larry Laird, who resigned after one memorable season in which he led the Battling Bees (9-3) to their second postseason appearance, which included a 31-28 first round upset of top-seeded Canton McKinley.

"No pressure, just expectations of being successful," said Hradek, who went 73-47 as Midpark's head coach from 1988-99. "We still want to win the [NOC] Valley Division and get to the postseason."

Lorain must win quickly: Mark Solis has found a new home as Lorain's coach, his third school in the past six seasons. The fiery mentor, who once held the reigns at Elyria, didn't have his contract renewed at Twinsburg despite racking up a 32-14 mark in four seasons.

Solis is at a school that wants to win immediately, in evidence of Todd Auvil's dismissal after a 2-8 effort last year, Lorain's first season following the merge of Admiral King and Southview.

Welcome aboard: For the first time in the school's 35-year history, Open Door Christian is fielding a football team. The coach for the coed private school in Elyria is Ray Lowe.

Welcome to the football fray, Patriots, and good luck.

Plain Dealer reporter Tim Rogers contributed to this story.

Rookie Greg Little is working with the Browns' first-team offense early in camp following a rash of injuries. Watch video

View full sizeLynn Ischay, The Plain DealerRookie receiver Greg Little impressed his coach during Sunday's workout at the Browns' Berea training facility. "He's pretty good when they're body-to-body," said Pat Shurmur. "He finds a way to separate in a short area. We'll try to keep working on that."

BEREA, Ohio -- So much for rookie receiver Greg Little easing his way into football shape and knocking the rust off after sitting out all last season.

Little, the Browns' second-round pick, was thrust into the starting lineup on Sunday's second day of camp because of injuries to receivers Mohamed Massaquoi (foot) and Josh Cribbs, who went down early in practice with a possible leg muscle strain and didn't return. Carlton Mitchell also left practice early with a shoulder injury.

Little, who had been operating as the third or fourth wideout, was suddenly starting opposite Brian Robiskie in two-receiver sets -- and looking solid in drills.

"When the line gets shorter and guys get more reps, it helps them," said coach Pat Shurmur. "If they can handle it and they're in shape to handle it, the more you do something the better you get."

Little (6-2, 220) dropped a couple of passes Sunday, but also caught a few in 7-on-7s and team drills from Colt McCoy, with whom he worked during two off-season players-only camps.

"He's pretty good when they're body-to-body," said Shurmur. "He finds a way to separate in a short area. We'll try to keep working on that. We'll see tomorrow when he puts the shoulder pads on, how it will affect his speed. We don't think it will diminish much."

Shurmur is just getting acquainted with Little, suspended for his 2010 season at North Carolina for accepting agent benefits.

"He's a fun guy to work with, very talented," said Shurmur. "You'll find with guys that are playmakers that they have a lot of confidence in their ability. He's got skill and ability. He's probably working through the first couple days like most players. But he's been very coachable so far and I think that'll bode well for him."

McCoy spent extra time with Little on and off the field in the off-season skills sessions.

"He's a big, physical guy. He hadn't played in a year so you don't really know what to expect," said McCoy. "I know he worked really hard with us this summer. I know he has a pretty good idea of what's going on based off what they ran in North Carolina. I'm excited to throw to him, I really am. Overall, I felt like he did good. We just have to keep getting better."

Little said he felt comfortable working with the starters Sunday because he ran a similar scheme at with the Tar Heels.

"Coming from a pro-style West Coast offense in college helps me tremendously to be able to step in with the ones and be under that fire," he said. "It's a great learning experience for me."

With the other receivers banged up, Little might be relied on more quickly than planned. Shurmur said on draft day that Little has the potential to develop into a No. 1 receiver. Could he assume that role this season?

"If things transpire that way, I'd happily step up to the plate," Little said.

Little, who began his UNC career as a running back, downplayed the layoff since the 2009 season, when he caught 62 passes for 724 yards and five touchdowns.

"I prepared myself in the off-season," he said when asked if he felt rusty. "We really haven't put on pads and really started a full-speed, down-to-the-ground drill."

Little said attending the final two "Camp Colts" helped him tremendously.

"Oh gosh, that was so empowering for me to be a part of that with Colt and actually be able to be around a bunch of guys on the team," he said. "It helped our camaraderie a lot and just getting the terminology and some reps was great."

He said he also started to develop some chemistry with McCoy.

"I got a feel for how Colt throws the ball and his velocity and how he progresses through his reads, and it was really good for me," said Little.

Little said the Browns can expect him to be a model citizen after his problems at North Carolina, where he also racked up 93 parking tickets.

"It's not something I'm determined to do. It's just the right thing to do," said Little. "I've always done that, but some of the good things I've done in the community have been overshadowed."

He said he doesn't know if he was partially responsible for former Browns coach Butch Davis being fired by North Carolina in the midst of an NCAA investigation. Little was one of 14 Tar Heels suspended last season, when 12 players received parking tickets totaling $13,125.

"Once players step outside the building and go home, he leaves it up to the young man to take care of himself," said Little. "I was really surprised [that Davis was fired]. I was very close to Butch. It was a terrible thing to see him removed from that program, and all the remarkable things that he's done."

But Davis assured Little that Cleveland would be a fresh start.

"He talked tremendously about this town and this community and he spoke so highly of the type of fans that were going to be behind me," said Little. "He said I'd fit in great."

Maybe sooner than later.

On Twitter: @marykaycabot

In acquiring Ubaldo Jimenez, the Indians didn't just make a deal for 2011. That's the saving grace of a bold and welcome move by the Dolan family.

View full sizeAP photoWhether or not the trade for Ubaldo Jimenez ends up with smiles all around after the 2011 season, the Indians did the right thing in trying to be a contender over the next few years, says Bud Shaw.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- In the aftermath of the Ubaldo Jimenez trade, it seems only fair to let the Dolans out of the dunk tank, no?

Even if you insist on replacing them with GM Chris Antonetti for giving up Drew Pomerantz and Alex White in the same deal, you'd have to agree the Dolans pretty much did what you've screamed for them to do. They gave up years of cheap labor to try to win now, or at least soon.

Winning in 2011 is still part of the equation, of course, no matter how hard the Indians try to fall out of contention. After a 2-6 homestand, the Indians don't look like serious contenders. But this season was only one consideration in making a deal Antonetti correctly called a "unique opportunity."

Translation: Pitchers of Jimenez's standing don't land in markets this size in free agency. Developing them takes years. Jimenez is not only ready-made but under the Indians' control through 2013.

"We would not have made this deal if it were a rental," Antonetti said, meaning for two months or even a year and two months.

Besides putting the organization's top two pitching prospects in the same deal, there's much to like about the decision. Granted, it could turn out to be a costly double-down. If this time next year the Indians need to put a package together to acquire an impact hitter, who's the centerpiece of the deal? I mean other than Ubaldo Jimenez?

Who's their No. 1 pitching prospect with White and Pomerantz gone? So, risky? You bet.

"It hurts," said Manny Acta. "But that's what good trades are about."

It is also absolutely refreshing to see the Indians' going after a No. 1 starter to give themselves a chance in a winnable division. Unable to acquire another new bat to go with Kosuke Fukudome, they rely now on the return of Shin-Soo Choo and Grady Sizemore, and a August waiver period that presents a different set of complications.

Pitching is going to have to carry them. Now they have more of it.

Before his abbreviated start Saturday, Jimenez won three of his previous four. Early in the season, he struggled and lost some velocity. His numbers are considerably better this season away from Coors Field.

It's a risk, but risk works both sides of the street in baseball trades. White could become the Rockies' No. 2 or No. 3 eventually. Or he could become the next Adam Miller, his career done in by a fickle finger.

Pomerantz's talent projects him as a top-of-rotation starter. There's no guarantee that's how it goes for him. If it does, that's still a notch below Jimenez's 2010 season, in which the right-hander started for the NL in the All-Star Game and finished third in the Cy Young balloting.

Did the Indians give up more for Jimenez than they received in return for C.C. Sabathia and Cliff Lee, respectively? Yes. Ranking the prospects involved at the time, it's not debatable. Actually, it's not debatable for another reason. They were different situations.

Sabathia was a two-month rental for the Milwaukee Brewers. Lee had a year and two months remaining on his contract when the Indians traded him to Philly. Pessimistic about signing Lee, the Phillies traded him to Seattle that winter.

Acquiring Jimenez offers the Indians 21/2 years of control at team-friendly terms. The Indians paid for the luxury of time and contract. They see a chance to win despite a couple months of bad baseball. Contention is not easily imagined when they lose three consecutive series at home before leaving for Boston and Texas for seven games.

If they turn it around and win the division, a playoff rotation of Jimenez, Justin Masterson, Josh Tomlin and a rebounding Fausto Carmona is formidable.

In adding a No. 1 starter under contract through 2013, ownership made the right kind of deal. The Dolans were aggressive buyers.

Whether they made the right kind of deal for the right pitcher falls on a front office that at least isn't afraid to take a healthy swing at delivering October baseball.

Previous columns online: cleveland.com/columns

Treanor was back in the clubhouse and said he didn't remember anything after seeing left fielder Alex Gordon throw the ball during Saturday's collision.

View full sizeJohn Kuntz, The Plain DealerThis collision between Matt LaPorta and Royals catcher Matt Treanor on Saturday sent Treanor to the hospital with a concussion.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Clubhouse confidential: Matt LaPorta tried unsuccessfully to contact injured Kansas City catcher Matt Treanor Saturday night after their home plate collision sent Treanor to the hospital.

"I know he took a hard hit. I hope he's OK," LaPorta said.

Treanor received a CAT scan, was diagnosed with a concussion and was placed on the seven-day concussion disabled list. Treanor, who held onto the ball and tagged LaPorta out, was knocked unconscious briefly when LaPorta lowered his shoulder into Treanor's cheek. Treanor was back in the clubhouse Sunday and said he didn't remember anything after seeing left fielder Alex Gordon throw the ball.

Treanor is married to Olympic gold medal beach volleyball player Misty May Treanor.

Line of the day: "That's why he's getting the day off today. He said he's tired. He swung too much." -- Manny Acta on Lonnie Chisenhall's three walks and a single on Saturday.

Stat of the day: The Indians hit .184 on the homestand (45 of 244).

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

The Gladiators went 10-8 in the regular season and won the East Division title.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Gladiators did not lose Sunday afternoon because of one play. But one play sucked enough gas out of the dirigible to allow Georgia to slip away with a 50-41 victory in an Arena Football League first-round playoff game at The Q.

The Force, a wild-card entry, advances to face Jacksonville in the American Conference championship game Aug. 8. The Gladiators pack for the off-season. They went 10-8 in the regular season and won the East Division title.

"We wanted to win the whole thing, so it stinks to be going home," Gladiators coach Steve Thonn said. "Overall, it was a pretty good season for what we went through. I'm happy about a lot of things, it's just hard to see it right now."

Whether the Jim Ferraro-owned Gladiators said goodbye to their fans for the final time is the question. Internet speculation for several weeks has the franchise in a state of flux and possibly for sale. Ferraro, who did not attend the playoff game, issued a three-sentencestatement through his general manager, Phil Tesar.

"The rumors are just that -- rumors," Ferraro said in the statement. "We aren't going anywhere. We will be the Cleveland Gladiators next year."

The Gladiators have played three seasons in Cleveland, beginning in 2008. The AFL went dark in 2009, then returned in 2010.

Late in the second quarter, the Gladiators had a 21-14 lead and the ball. Their drive went backwards and turned into a fourth-and-23 at the Georgia 24. Matt Denny missed the field-goal attempt with 10 seconds left. On the ensuing possession, Georgia had a second-and-10 from its 24 with two seconds remaining. Carlos Martinez's field-goal attempt missed as time expired.

At that point, the Gladiators' season began to unravel.

Because the kick bounced off the net, the ball was live. Standout receiver Robert Redd decided to return it. Redd quickly got trapped inside the Cleveland 5. He pitched to Joe Phinisee, who made one move and fumbled. The Force's Mike Johnson picked up the ball at the 2 and waltzed in for six points.

"It wasn't a very smart play on our part," Thonn said. "We were going to have the ball coming out of the second half, with a chance to go up 14. We just needed to get down and get out of there."

Redd said his playmaker instincts got the best of him.

"I was trying to make something happen, so I pitched it back to Joe," he said. "Not taking anything away from Joe, because he's a great player, but I should have done things differently. I know better than that. I should have just fallen on the ball."

Phinisee, a defensive back, also took responsibility.

"I didn't realize how close a Georgia player was to me," he said. "I tried to make a move, and when I was making the move, the guy came in and hit the ball. I should have just gone down."

The Gladiators' offense could have unhooked Redd and Phinisee in the third quarter, but went cold. The Force outscored Cleveland, 14-0, in the period and opened the fourth with another touchdown for a 40-21 advantage.

"You try to get over what happened and talk about it at halftime and say, 'Hey, that play's over,'" Thonn said. "But I think we lost quite a bit of momentum."

The Gladiators made matters interesting when Thonn removed rookie quarterback Kurt Rocco for veteran John Dutton, who was playing in his first game since injuring his left Achilles' tendon in the Gladiators' opener March 19. He led three touchdown drives in the final 11 minutes.

"We had a pretty good comeback and gave ourselves a chance, but we'd dug ourselves too deep of a hole," Thonn said.

The Gladiators finished 7-3 at home.

On Twitter: @dmansworldpd

Browne, previously winless in three years on the Champions Tour, won the U.S. Senior Open by three shots.

View full sizeCarlos Osorio, Associated PressA long putt for birdie on the final hole was just icing on the cake for Olin Browne, whose first Champions Tour victory was the U.S. Senior Open Sunday afternoon at the Inverness Club in Toledo.

TOLEDO, Ohio -- Olin Browne said it was his plan to remain in the moment. In the end, the moment was his.

Browne, previously winless in three years on the Champions Tour, was as patient as a man chasing his first major championship could be on Sunday and won the U.S. Senior Open by three shots over Mark O'Meara on a hot and humid day at the venerable Inverness Club.

Browne had one bogey and one birdie -- the latter on the 72nd hole when he dropped a 30-foot putt to put an exclamation point on his title -- for a final-round 71 and 15-under 269.

While Browne held things together, O'Meara, twice a major tournament winner, faltered down the stretch with two bogeys over the final six holes to post a 72 and finish three shots behind.

Mark Calcavecchia, who rarely had success in major events outside of his victory in the 1989 British Open, finished third at 273 after a final-round 69. He was the only player able to break 70 in all four rounds, his second straight strong performance in a major. He was second in last week's Senior British Open.

• Final U.S. Senior Open leaderboard

Browne, 52, earned $500,000, his first victory in 142 starts. He also became the fifth player ever to win on all three U.S. pro tours. He won four times on what is now the Nationwide Tour and had three wins on the PGA Tour before turning 50.

"It was a day of patience," Browne said during the presentation of the Francis D. Ouimet trophy. "I knew everyone was going to struggle at some point. I couldn't hit a fairway on the front nine. It was just a hard day and I'm very pleased to have gotten through it."

Browne, who downplayed his performance all week, might not have been able to find fairways but he did find the cup with regularity. He opened with seven straight pars before making his only bogey with a 3-putt on the 566-yard eighth. He followed with eight more pars before the birdie on 18.

After an uphill career, the native of Washington, D.C. was asked what it felt like to have his named engraved on a USGA trophy, alongside such names as Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, Arnold Palmer, Tom Weiskopf and Hale Irwin.

"You know, I'm just not sure at the moment," he said. "When I started playing golf, my bride would, well she wasn't my bride at the time, we would go to the driving range. She was a pre-med and French major and she would have her books. I'd say, 'Okay, this is the U.S. Open. What's the shot here?'

"She'd say, 'U.S. Open, 700 yards, par-4.' I told her that's not how it works. 'How about 440, dogleg right?' Then, I would hit the shot. So, this goes back a long way for us. This is very satisfying for me."

Browne preached staying in the moment all week.

"The point of this championship is that if you start wandering mentally, it's curtains, it's over," he said. "And the thing that this championship does is narrow your focus. You'd better show up for the shot that you're hitting. And, if you start worrying about other stuff you're going to have a problem. So, I was patient and was able to work through it."

The story came down to whether Browne would be able to hold onto his two-shot lead entering the final round.

O'Meara quickly cut his deficit with a birdie on the first hole and pulled into a tie at 15 under with a birdie at the fourth. While Browne was steady with pars, O'Meara went three-putt bogey, birdie and bogey on holes five through seven. He fell out of the lead for good when he pulled an 8-iron into the rough on No. 7, chipped eight feet past the hole and missed the putt.

O'Meara trailed by one entering the 476-yard 16th, regarded as one of the toughest holes on the course. He sealed his fate with another bogey when he hit a fat 3-iron second shot that came up about 30 yards short of the green. A poor chip followed.

"It was a pretty poor shot, to be honest with you," O'Meara said of the chubby 3-iron. "I had about 216 to the hole and I hit just a very poor shot at the wrong time and that kind of cost me."

Cabrera departed Saturday with a .244 average and 38 RBI and 35 runs in 90 games.

View full sizeChuck Crow, The Plain DealerJason Kipnis, who belted his first big-league home run Sunday against Kansas City, will be the Indians' full-time second baseman for the remainder of the season after Saturday night's trade of Orlando Cabrera to San Francisco.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Indians were 15 games above .500 at their zenith this season, and second baseman Orlando Cabrera was a major architect of that start.

Much of that cushion is gone, and so, too, is Cabrera. The Indians traded the veteran late Saturday night to San Francisco for an injured minor-league outfielder, Thomas Neal. For now, rookie Jason Kipnis is the everyday second baseman and Jason Donald, who was recalled Sunday, is the backup at second, third and shortstop.

Cabrera, 36, began the season as the starter at second after playing nearly all his career at shortstop. He hit .301 in the first 28 games and was at .267 with 24 RBI when the Indians were 30-15 on May 23. He was lauded for his clubhouse presence.

Cabrera departed Saturday with a .244 average and 38 RBI and 35 runs in 90 games. As his production began to slide, Cord Phelps was called up to share playing time on June 8, then Kipnis joined the Indians July 21.

When asked if Cabrera was traded because he was unhappy with his playing time, manager Manny Acta said, "I thought he handled it very well. He was very professional about it.

"He had a lot to do with the success we had here the first couple months of the season. He really helped Asdrubal [Cabrera], and he helped a lot of the young kids. The main thing was to give Kipnis the playing time he deserves right now."

As the season wears on, the Indians are getting younger in the infield with Kipnis, rookie Lonnie Chisenhall starting at third, and Donald backing them up.

"What's good about them is their makeup. When it comes to numbers, we have to see a lot more, but I do like the way they handle themselves," Acta said.

He's back: Donald bounded up the dugout steps during batting practice Sunday after arriving from Class AAA Columbus. Someone asked how he was doing.

"Living the dream," he said with a smile.

But 2011 had been a nightmare until recently. Donald appeared set to make the opening day roster, but suffered a broken hand, and later a sprained left knee. He was batting .310 with four home runs and 15 RBI in 47 games at Columbus.

"My case isn't any more special than other guys that have had to battle injuries, but the way it happened, one after the other -- and they weren't little injuries -- it was definitely frustrating," Donald said. "There were days rehabbing in Arizona when I was thinking, 'Am I ever going to be healthy again? Am I ever going to have an opportunity to get back here?' It seemed so distant."

Donald, who was part of the 2009 Cliff Lee trade, hit .253 with four homers and 24 RBI in 88 games with the Indians last season. Acta said the right-handed Donald will get at-bats against lefties. He walked once and struck out twice Sunday against Royals left-hander Danny Duffy.

How's the thumb? Shin-Soo Choo said he'll go on the road trip to Boston and Texas with the goal of taking live batting practice while recovering from a broken thumb. He hit soft toss for the first time Sunday.

Choo will have his thumb examined after the Indians return next Sunday and hopes to be sent out on a minor-league rehab assignment from there. He went on the disabled list June 25.

Not a fan: Acta can do without all these walk-off victories. The Indians won, 5-2, Saturday on Matt LaPorta's three-run homer, their 12th walk-off win and fifth via the long ball.

"It's draining for me. I'd really rather be setting up my bullpen starting in the sixth inning, than suffering for eight, and hoping for magic at the end," he said. "It started the first couple weeks of the season. They guys, they never think they're out of it, especially at home."

The PGA Tour rookie curled in a 7-foot putt after Haas and Estes missed their birdie tries, giving the 26-year-old Stallings his first tour win and securing his spot in the FedEx Cup playoffs.

Scott Stallings reacts to sinking a winning putt on the first playoff hole to win the Greenbrier Classic PGA golf tournament at the Greenbrier in White Sulphur Springs, W. Va., Sunday, July 31, 2011. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)

WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.Va. — Needing a birdie on the 168-yard 18th hole to get into a playoff at the Greenbrier Classic, Scott Stallings remembered the approach shot he hit from the same distance back on No. 11.

Same club. Same result.

He sent a 9-iron shot 5 feet from the pin on the final hole and made the putt, joining Bill Haas and Bob Estes in sudden death tied at 10-under par Sunday on the Old White TPC course.

Luckily for Stallings, the playoff headed right back to the 18th.

Another 9 iron. Another pin-seeker.

The PGA Tour rookie curled in a 7-foot putt after Haas and Estes missed their birdie tries, giving the 26-year-old Stallings his first tour win and securing his spot in the FedEx Cup playoffs.

"When Bob missed, I was kind of shocked a little bit and had to regroup and stand over it where I knew I had a chance to win," Stallings said. "I was tired. It's been a long week. It's been an emotional week. I just closed my eyes right before, when I was reading the putt, and just took a deep breath and visualized the ball going in the hole.

"After the ball went I don't really know what happened. Everything is kind of a blur."

So much for visualization.

For the record, he flipped his putter after the putt dropped, high-fived and hugged his caddie, collected the tournament trophy, the winner's jacket and a $1.08 million check.

The prize was nice, but Stallings was more excited about moving from 88th to 26th on the FedEx Cup points list. The top 125 qualify for the playoffs starting in late August.

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

A native of Worcester, Mass., and die-hard Red Sox fan, he'll likely realize one of his biggest goals to play in the Deutsch Bank Championship, the second stop in the FedEx Cup playoffs outside of Boston. The top 100 in the points standings after the Barclays, the first playoff stop, will qualify.

All this seemed implausible halfway through the final round, when Stallings seemingly had played himself out of contention.

He started the day one shot out of the lead, but four bogeys in the first nine holes had dropped him to 5 under.

At No. 10, caddie Josh Graham starting ribbing Stallings about his wayward tee shots.

"'Finally, we're going to hit the fairway,'" Stallings recalled Graham saying.

"I said, 'I promise, I promise we can play better from the fairway,'" Stallings replied. "He said, 'We're going to get back to even par and we're going to have an opportunity to win the tournament.'"

Graham reiterated that theme throughout the back nine, and Stallings responded with six birdies.

However, Stallings' group waited a half-hour on the par-5 17th tee and he hit his drive into the water and had to take a penalty stroke. Instead of going after the outright lead, he made bogey.

Heading to the 18th tee in regulation, all Stallings could think about was that shot on No. 11.

"Repetition and visualization is something I work with my coach and my sports psychologist really well on," Stallings said. "I hit a great shot on 11, hit it in there about four or five feet and made a birdie. My caddie said, 'I want to see that same one.'"

That he got, not once, but twice.

In just its second year, the Greenbrier Classic produced another dramatic finish. Stuart Appleby shot 59 in last year's final round, including a birdie on the last hole to beat Jeff Overton by a stroke. The course was lengthened more than 200 yards for this year's tournament and the greens were reseeded and firm, giving some golfers fits.

Even Stallings, who overcame his early blunders to become the sixth rookie to win on tour this year. It secured a spot for him in this week's Bridgestone Invitational.

Estes and Haas each earned $528,000. Haas got his fourth top-10 finish of the season and improved to 12th in the FedEx standings.

The 45-year-old Estes missed out on his first tour win since 2002 and fifth overall. Estes sat out the first three months of the year because of a wrist injury and was playing in just his seventh tournament.

"I felt like I did everything exactly right," Estes said. "I just didn't make the birdie putt on 18."

Jimmy Walker (68), Andres Romero (65), Brendon de Jonge (66), Cameron Tringale (67) and Gary Woodland (69) finished at 9 under.

Menard became NASCAR's newest first-time winner Sunday with an upset victory at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, a track steeped in tradition for his family.

Paul Menard kisses the yard of bricks on the start/finish line after winning the NASCAR Brickyard 400 auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, Sunday, July 31, 2011. (AP Photo/Robert Baker)

INDIANAPOLIS  — Daddy's Boy. Silver spoon with secure sponsorship. Talentless hack.

Paul Menard has heard all the jealous jeering throughout his unremarkable racing career.

On Sunday, he added a new name to that list: Brickyard 400 winner.

Menard became NASCAR's newest first-time winner Sunday with an upset victory at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, a track steeped in tradition for his family.

Yes, it came in a car sponsored by the hardware chain owned by his billionaire father. But nobody dared to deny that Menard earned the win and had worked hard to finally make it to Victory Lane in his 167th start at NASCAR's highest level.

True to his low-key and reserved personality even as he crossed the finish line, Menard had no desire to shove the win in the face of his critics.

"We're winners in Sprint Cup. That's the big deal. To do it at Indy, even bigger deal," he said. "Can't change people's opinions. They're going to say what they want to say. That's fine with me. We'll celebrate this. We'll enjoy it. Whatever they say, they say. Can't control it.

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

"I know what I'm capable of."

Menard has bounced around NASCAR the past few years as teams were eager to land John Menard's sponsorship money but failed to spend it on winning race cars. Going into this year, Menard's only victory was in 2006 in the second-tier Nationwide Series.

Richard Childress was another car owner willing to cash the checks from the Menard's chain, and he signed both driver and sponsor for this season. But Richard Childress Racing was on an upswing, and the owner believed his new driver just needed a competitive car to prove his worth.

Although Sunday was Menard's first win, he and crew chief Slugger Labbe had been steadily improving all season and his four top-five finishes this season double the amount he had in his first four seasons in Cup.

"I caught a lot of flak back early last year when we decided to (hire Menard)," Childress said. "I've been watching Paul ever since he won the Nationwide race. He doesn't tear equipment up. He's consistent. He's really good. Got a cool head on him in all situations. I knew if the right situation come along, we'd win."

It came Sunday in a race that was at first dominated by drivers with the strongest cars. But when debris cautions jumbled up the pit cycles, the Brickyard 400 turned into a race of pure strategy.

Menard and his RCR team played it brilliantly, as crew chief Slugger Labbe had Menard give the lead up to defending race winner Jamie McMurray in an effort to save fuel. Certain McMurray didn't have enough gas to make it to the finish, Labbe then turned his attention to Jeff Gordon, who fell 12 seconds behind after a late fuel stop but was slicing his way through the field.

Labbe gave Menard the green light with just over three laps to go. He passed McMurray for the lead, and was silent as he circled the track with Labbe giving constant updates on Gordon's lap times. Gordon ran out of time, and Menard cruised to his first career victory in his 167th career start.

Menard's only other victory came in the second-tier Nationwide Series in 2006.

Quiet and reserved by nature, that didn't change as Menard crossed the finish line. As his team screamed over the radio, Menard quietly asked, "that's the checkered, right?"

Atop the pit box, his billionaire father was far less reserved.

"I've been waiting to kiss these bricks for such a long time. I'm ready!" John Menard yelled.

John Menard, owner of the family's Midwest-based hardware chain who has a decades-long involvement in racing, was ecstatic and seemingly near tears. He fielded cars for years in the IndyCar Series, and suffered his own Indianapolis 500 heartbreak as a car owner. He entered 34 cars in the Indy 500 from 1982 through 2003, won three poles but never finished higher than third, in 1992 with Al Unser driving.

"I've been coming here since I was a little kid, my dad tried to win this race for 35 years, so this is for my dad," Menard said. "A lot of emotions right now. I went to every Indy 500 from 1989 to 2003, I was here for the inaugural Brickyard 400 in '94, for my family and for myself, Indianapolis is a very special place."

"He's a good boy," John Menard said before racing to Victory Lane to embrace his son.

Menard's victory Sunday continued the trend of first-time winners this season in NASCAR's crown jewel events. Trevor Bayne won the Daytona 500, Regan Smith won at Darlington Raceway and David Ragan won earlier this month at Daytona.

Gordon settled for second, but didn't mind losing to Menard, who he had talked to just this week about the family history at Indy.

"We were talking about him coming here as a kid with his family I think from like, I don't know, late '80s or something all the way to 2000, some ridiculous thing where every year he was here for the 500," Gordon said. "Knowing what his dad has done here in IndyCars ... I think he's in awe right now.

"I went and saw him. His eyes, he's like a deer in headlights. I'm so happy for him. It's one thing to get your first win here, but it's another when you can appreciate how special it is to win here. I think Paul certainly has that."

Smith, who picked up his first win this season at Darlington, was third for yet another big finish in a crown jewel race. Smith had never before scored a top-10 in NASCAR's top series, but now has them in the Daytona 500, the Southern 500, the Coca-Cola 600 and the Brickyard 400.

Like Gordon, Smith was more focused on his close friend Menard, who is scheduled to be a member of Smith's wedding party later this year.

"I just know what it means to Paul. I know how hard he's worked," Smith said. "He always talks about coming up here. He always talks about how much he loves this place. I know if he had to highlight one race to get his first win, I'm sure he'd tell you in a minute he couldn't be happier.

"You only get one chance to get your first win. It's a special thing, especially when you do it here."

McMurray took fourth as Chevrolets took the top four spots. Matt Kenseth was fifth in a Ford and Tony Stewart, a two-time Brickyard winner, was sixth.

Stewart, who led late but had to stop for gas, once drove for John Menard and was complimentary in defeat.

"I'm really happy for Paul Menard," he said. "Paul's been around this place for a long time, been here since he was a kid. It couldn't have happened to a better guy. It's a pretty deserving win right there. I'm happy for him."

Greg Biffle was seventh, while Mark Martin, Brad Keselowski and Kyle Busch rounded out the top 10.

For Menard, the win lifted him five spots in the standings to 14th, putting him in contention for a wild card into the 12-driver Chase for the Sprint Cup championship. The final two spots in the field will go to drivers ranked 11th or lower who have the most victories. The two currently in position? Menard and Denny Hamlin, who is 11th in the points.

Here is Monday's essay by Nicholas Brack of Strongsville.

View full sizeChuck Crow, The Plain DealerThe torment of Yankees pitcher Joba Chamberlain was a pure delight to Indians fans during Game 2 of the American League Division Series in 2007.

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

I will keep this short and simple. I have been a baseball lifer since birth and will forever be a Cleveland Indians fan. I have been to so many games and have seen amazing things, but the most unforgettable night at the "Jake" was when I attended Game 2 of the ALDS on Oct. 5, 2007.

This game will never be forgotten by me, since it was the last Indians game I attended with my sister, and it was the infamous "bug game." My sister died in August 2008 of a heroin overdose. I still remember her taking me to the game and sitting with her and with the other 40,000 fans, screaming when the Lake Erie midges showed up and the Indians rallied to win, 2-1, in 11 innings.

We both lost our voices that night and talked about it for days after, about how close we were to the field and how loud the stadium became in the late innings.

My sister and I went to many games, but to know the last one was the best game of my life was crazy. That night was everything a baseball fan could ask for and gave my sister and I hope that this was finally the year to win it all.

The funny part about the midges was we were in the sixth row, and we were never bothered by them. It seemed only as if the bugs were out on the field when the Yankees were out. I still have the ticket stub from the game and the newspaper from the morning after.

Thank you for reading my dearest memory.

It's back to work this morning for the Browns on Day 3 of training camp in Berea. Can't make it? Read live tweets from Plain Dealer Browns beat reporters @TonyGrossi and @Mary Kay Cabot.

It's back to work this morning for the Browns on Day 3 of training camp in Berea. Can't make it? Read live tweets below from Plain Dealer Browns beat reporters @TonyGrossi and @Mary Kay Cabot as they describe the action on the practice field, fill you in on the latest news and post photos and more from 76 Lou Groza Blvd.

Today's practice runs from 8:45 a.m.-11:15 a.m. Get the complete training camp schedule here.

• See more photos from training camp or post your own

• Watch videos from Berea

• Rookie Greg Little thrust into bigger role

• Much of the passing game's targets temporarily grounded: Browns Insider

• Cleveland Browns training camp log: Day 2 | Video

The new collective bargaining agreement was supposed to eliminate rookie holdouts, right? Tell that to Browns No. 1 pick Phil Taylor, who has now missed three practices as his agent and the Browns look to agree on a contract.

View full sizeJoshua Gunter, The Plain DealerWhere are you, Phil Taylor?

The new collective bargaining agreement was supposed to eliminate rookie holdouts, right?

Tell that to Browns No. 1 pick Phil Taylor, who has now missed three practices as his agent and the Browns work on a contract. Considering Taylor did not take part in any on-field drills with his teammates during the offseason, it's a situation that has Browns fans frustrated. Here's what a couple of them are saying.

whippeddawg writes,

"Phil ("Big Money") Taylor......... yet another day gone now and still no sight of you in camp.......Either you're a money grubbing worthless pick for the Browns OR your agent is. OR maybe it's a combination of both? Either way, day 2 is now done and over with and your no where to be found... Can't balme 2 a day practices either for not being in camp - that was abolished by the players and the new CBA.... Like you said "big money", " how hard can it be"???? [Tom Heckert] - Get this kid in camp already!!!!! He is making this team look more like fools every hour he is not signed!"

RickRock adds,

"I would let Phil Taylor and his agent know that his value is dropping now that he has missed important days of camp and that starting tomorrow the offer would go down every day in addition to the 30K per day fine."

Where would you put Taylor on the depth chart once he does show up for camp? Post your comments below.

36 hours after the Indians' big trade for Ubaldo Jimenez, fans are getting over the initial shock of dealing No. 1 picks Drew Pomeranz and Alex White and putting the trade in perspective. What do you think of the deal?

Chris Humphreys/US PresswireUbaldo Jimenez was traded to the Indians on Saturday.

36 hours after the Indians' big trade for Ubaldo Jimenez, fans are getting over the initial shock of dealing No. 1 picks Drew Pomeranz and Alex White and putting the trade in perspective. While the question if the Tribe gave up too much is debatable, one thing fans can agree on is that it was a gutsy move.

Wahoooooo! says,

It is definitely a good thing when the Front Office decides that they have to do something to get to the post-season.

It is very risky to part with (2) first round draft picks that you paid close to $5M in signing bonuses for (1) pitcher you hope they will one day turn into.

Ublado is a stud...I don't care what his ERA or record was in Colorado - the kid is a stud....

The complainers will complain because we traded away 2 unknowns, if we didnt pull the trigger, the complainers would complain because we sat on our hands. No difference....they just want to complain as is their right.

bossko writes,

I would feel a lot better about this trade if the contract was longer. They had better win a World Series next year or be contending for one the year after, because if not ,come trading day 2013 you can bet Jimenez is gone . Then we can start the process all over again. It's a gamble, and one that takes balls. To ship away your top 2 pitching prospects ,whose contract we could control for a very long time is really rolling the dice.

MuchaChosMuchaChos posts,

Lets get our heads straight people! When we traded Lee and Sabathia everyne said "OMG SCREW THE INDIANS THEY TRADED A STAR FOR PROSPECTS" now that we traded them and ACUTALLY GOT A STAR LIKE YOU HAVE BEEN COMPLAINING ABOUT FOR THE LAST 3 YEARS you're like "OMG SCREW THE INDIANS THEY TRADED PROSPECTS FOR A STAR". What do you want people? Fans can't wait 6 years four us to be good again, and then when we contend again. you want us to keep our prospects and suck for the next six years.....? make up you damn mind on if you wanna get good players while were contending or get good players in 6 years.

grigsby8336 chimes in,

Did the Indians give up a lot for Jimenez? Yes, of course, but for the talent and CONTRACT (which means everything for a small market team) they received, I believe it is a risk worth taking. Before everyone starts going crazy about how good Pomeranz and White are going to be just think about all the "can't miss" players that were top picks or major prospects from trades that have contributed with the Indians the last 10 years like Andy Marte, Adam Miller, Brandon Phillips, Jeremy Guthrie, Corey Smith, Jeremy Sowers, Beau Mills, Michael Aubrey, Trevor Crowe, David Huff, Wes Hodges, Josh Rodriguez, and possibly soon to be Matt LaPorta and Jason Knapp.

localtuff writes,

Dear Chris Antonetti:
In case you are living in a cave and haven't noticed, the team you are a GM for can't hit or score any runs. Can you please tell me how trading away your top prospects to get a pitcher is going to help your team score runs?
Sincerely,
A Disgusted Tribe Fan

What do you think of the move? Get in on the debate below.

Can Tribe win the division despite not being able to swing a deal for a bat?

Kosuke Fukudome

CLEVELAND, Ohio - The Indians have made trades over the last several days that they hope will help them compete for the AL Central this season and beyond.

On Friday, Kosuke Fukudome joined the Tribe after a deal with the Chicago Cubs. And on Sunday, the Indians and Colorado Rockies finalized a deal that brings right-handed pitcher Ubaldo Jimenez to Cleveland for prospects, including two promising pitchers in Drew Pomeranz and Alex White.

The Tribe did fail to make a deal to bring in a right-handed bat to jump-start the offense. As the Indians embark on a tough road swing this week in Boston and Texas, here's our Starting Blocks poll question for today: Does the Tribe have enough offense to win the AL Central this year?

Marcus Benard and Austin English are the new breed of Browns defensive end -- light and fast.

Lynn Ischay, The Plain DealerBrowns President Mike Holmgren greets fans at Browns training camp in Berea.

BEREA -- Observations from Browns training camp ...

 * First day in pads. No apparent casualties, except for a minor leg injury for tight end Jordan Cameron. It's going to be paramount for the coaches to monitor players' conditioning. It's very much on the mind of coach Pat Shurmur now that his schedule calls for a number of successive practices with pads.

 * Running back Montario Hardesty was held out of a lot of work. No worries. They're not going to overwork him after his injury problems. When he's out there, Hardesty looks fast and strong as a runner.

 * Quarterback Jarrett Brown will wow you with his arm. Also is an outstanding athlete who can move and throws fairly accurately on the move. A team official called him the "perfect" third quarterback, a guy with lots of talent who can be developed over time. There will be a learning curve with the West Coast offense, but I don't forsee the team acquiring another young quarterback.

 * Nice to see safety T.J. Ward step in front of a receiver and make the interception on a Seneca Wallace pass. Ward almost had another one later in team drills.

 * I'll be writing more about this in the print edition, but Marcus Benard and Austin English are now full-time defensive ends. Shurmur and coordinator Dick Jauron -- and also GM Tom Heckert -- want their pass rushing ends in the 255- to 265-pound range. Benard packed on some weight, but wouldn't say exactly how much. He looks bigger. It's possible the Browns still pick up a veteran defensive end, but if not, it's Jayme Mitchell, rookie Jabaal Sheard, Benard and English.

 * Quarterback Colt McCoy aired it out from 45 yards on a pretty pass to Demetrius Williams, who sneaked behind the secondary. Ball was well-thrown and caught.

 * Rookie safety Eric Hagg was no match for the White Rhino. Peyton Hillis blasted through Hagg's tackle attempt near the line of scrimmage.

 * Quarterback Seneca Wallace obviously looks more comfortable and decisive in the offense he learned six seasons in Seattle. My prediction is that Wallace will have a really productive summer in the preseason games.

 * I'm hearing the holdup with rookie Phil Taylor is his agent is trying for a fully guaranteed contract. Some rookies have gotten them.

Plain Dealer reporter says there's not enough offense on the roster to get Indians over the hump. Watch video

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Welcome to today's edition of Starting Blocks TV, hosted by David Campbell, Associate Sports Editor at The Plain Dealer. Branson Wright is on assignemnt, and Chuck Yarborough will return to host Tuesday's show.

The Indians were wheeling and dealing over the last several days, bringing in outfielder Kosuke Fukudome from the Chicago Cubs and pitcher Ubaldo Jimenez from the Colorado Rockies. Do they have enough offensive punch to win the American League Central? That's the question in today's Starting Blocks poll.

Today's guest is Plain Dealer reporter Dennis Manoloff, who says he doesn't think the Tribe has given itself enough offensive help to get the job done.

Dman also talks about his feelings about the trades for Fukudome for Jimenez; whether he thinks the Tribe in five years will regret trading prospects Drew Pomeranz and Alex White; and what he thinks Fukudome will bring to the team down the stretch.

SBTV will return Tuesday.

Who were the winners and losers at the Major League Baseball trading deadline? CineSport's Noah Coslov talks with baseball analyst and former Mets and Orioles GM Jim Duquette about all the deals, including the Indians' trade for Ubaldo Jimenez in this video below. Did the Indians give up too much? Duquette looks at the trade from both sides.

APThe Braves got Michael Bourn from the Astros.

Who were the winners and losers at the Major League Baseball trading deadline? CineSport's Noah Coslov talks with baseball analyst and former Mets and Orioles GM Jim Duquette about all the deals, including the Indians' trade for Ubaldo Jimenez in this video below. Did the Indians give up too much? Duquette looks at the trade from both sides.

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

The Browns lack depth at cornerback, especially after the departure of free agent Eric Wright - who struggled in 2010 but was being counted on as the third corner.

John Kuntz, The Plain DealerSheldon Brown (24) intercepts a pass for the Browns during their 16-14 loss to the Chiefs last season. Trying to prevent the pick is Kansas City wide receiver Chris Chambers, of Bedford High School.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Eric Wright showed promise as a young Cleveland Browns cornerback from 2007-09.

Last season, though, was a nightmare for him, as his coverage skills diminished and opponents took advantage by going at him constantly.

Still, the Browns were confident that Wright could bounce back this season, and they had him penciled in as the third cornerback. Last week, however, Wright, an unrestricted free agent, turned down more money from the Browns to sign with the Detroit Lions.

Wright's departure leaves the Browns thin at the cornerback position. It also puts more pressure on starters Joe Haden, who had a standout 2009 rookie campaign, and veteran Sheldon Brown to not only play well, but to remain healthy.

For Brown, who has never missed a game in his previous nine NFL seasons and is beginning his second campaign with Cleveland, playing at 100 percent could be a challenge, as Mike McLain writes for the Warren Tribune Chronicle:

Wright, who signed with the Detroit Lions, shouldn't be a player the Browns miss, but as of now that's the case. His absence could become a bigger issue if the Browns aren't able to squeeze another season out of 32-year-old Sheldon Brown.

Brown, who has started 114 of the 144 games he's appeared in during a nine-year career, is up for the challenge. He was cleared to practice after recovering from rotator-cuff surgery, but admits he has some work to do to be 100 percent.

"Obviously it's a work in progress," Brown said of his health status. "We haven't had full shoulder pads on yet. I've always said that you can't tell a football player in shorts. Everyone looks great until you have to go out there and hit. That's when I'll put my shoulder to the test."

As a respected old pro, Brown likes to help his team any way he can, as Steve Doerschuk writes for the Canton Repository:

Brown enjoys contributing Wright’s exit opens a door for rookie Round 5 pick Buster Skrine, one of the swiftest players in the draft. Brown’s presence — ask Haden — is a good thing for Skrine.

Brown never forgot the veteran help he got in Philadelphia when he was a rookie.

“When I retire and (Skrine) is playing well, I want to be able to say I taught him something,” Brown said. “He’s very talented, very fast ... and he studies.”

Plain Dealer and cleveland.com Browns coverage includes Tony Grossi's observations from training camp in Berea; Mary Kay Cabot's Cleveland Browns Insider; her Browns training camp log; her report that, with several of the Browns' receivers now limited due to injuries, rookie wideout Greg Little is taking advantage of an opportunity.

Browns bits

James Walker of ESPN.com writes about Browns defensive end Jayme Mitchell.

The Browns' decision to not make any high-profile moves last week in free agency, by Dave Kolonich for Scout.com's Orange and Brown Report.

Quarterback Colt McCoy continues to make progress. By Matt Florjancic for clevelandbrowns.com.

A training camp report from Monday's Browns practice, by Daniel Wolf of the National Football Authority.

With some other receivers ailing, Greg Little is getting his chance, Jeff Schudel writes for the News-Herald and Lorain Morning Journal.

Veteran placekicker Phil Dawson is glad to be back with the Browns, writes Fred Greetham for Scout.com's Orange and Brown Report.

A goal for linebacker D'Qwell Jackson is to stay healthy. By Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal.

Fans get their first glimpse of this year's Browns, by Brian Dulik for the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram and Medina County Gazette.

The Browns need to bolster their wide receiving unit, especially considering the injuries they've been hit with, writes Daniel Wolf for the National Football Authority.

A new statistical rating system for NFL quarterbacks (and where Colt McCoy would have ranked in 2010). Mike Sando writes about it for ESPN.com.