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4, 5, or 7 wins for the Browns? - Comments of the Day

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Browns fans' predictions for 2011 run the gamut from a few wins to possible playoff contender. What do you think?

Gallery preview

New head coach. Second-year quarterback. Top pick holding out. Not a lot of free-agent activity.

It's a recipe that has left many Browns fans with low expectations heading into the season. On Monday, we asked cleveland.com readers for their 2011 predictions. The consensus was between 4-7 wins.

Here's a look at some of your comments.

sarge43 posts,

"There is a lot of talent here that the other coach wouldn't use. Now in comes a real offense. I think some of you will be surprised. 7-9 or better."

Moosie writes,

"Colt stays healthy 8 & 8. I think the young players will step up. We do need some young free agent help and if we don't get it as the saying goes you can't make chicken soup out of chicken feathers."

gloriajames chimes in,

"5-11 same as it always was - but I'll be happy if they just make most games competitive. Actually, if a Browns QB completes a pass that travels over 25 yards in the air I'll be geeked!"

gymbroun

"3-13 - the brownies take a step backwards - Holmgren & Heckert refuse to tell anyone that they are rebuilding, but their actions are obvious."

cleveland.com's Skype lines will be open from noon-1 p.m. today for you to leave your prediction. Add username 'clevelanddotcom' to your contact list.


Terry Pluto chat will return in two weeks

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Terry Pluto is on vacation. His weekly chat on cleveland.com will return on Tuesday, August 16 at noon. You can chat with Paul Hoynes about the Indians on Wednesday at noon.

Terry Pluto use this new head shot
Terry Pluto is on vacation. His weekly chat on cleveland.com will return on Tuesday, August 16 at noon.

Be sure to read his latest columns here.  You can chat with Paul Hoynes about the Indians on Wednesday at noon.


Tiger Woods says he is pain-free and ready to resume pursuit of Jack Nicklaus' 18 major wins

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Tiger Woods addresses the media as he prepares his return to competitive golf this week in Akron following an 11-week layoff.

tiger.jpgView full sizeTiger Woods practices this morning at Firestone Country Club in Akron, where he will make his return Thursday following an 11-week layoff due to injury.

AKRON, Ohio -- Tiger Woods said he feels good -- as good as he has in years -- and is ready to resume his pursuit of Jack Nicklaus' record of 18 victories in major championships.

First, however, Woods will try to win for the eighth time at Firestone Country Club when the World Golf Championships-Bridgestone Invitational begins Thursday. Woods met with the media this morning. Follow Woods' day with Tweets by Plain Dealer columnist Bud Shaw

Woods has not played since withdrawing from the Players Championship in early May with knee and Achilles tendon injuries.

"The great thing is I don't feel a thing," he said. "It feels solid. It feels stable, no pain."

Woods, with 14 major titles, said in his first news conference in 12 weeks that longtime friend Byron Bell will serve as his interim caddie this week and next week when he plays in the PGA Championship at the Atlanta Athletic Club.

Woods and Steve Williams, his caddie for the past 12 years, parted ways in early July.

“I thought it was time for a change,” Woods said. “I felt that Stevie and I had just an amazing run. Steve is a hell of a caddie, there’s no denying that. He’s helped my career and I think I’ve helped his.”

Woods said he told Williams face-to-face that it was time to end their relationship and had nothing to say about Williams’ comments that he felt like he had “wasted” the last two years of his life.

Said Woods: “Well, that’s what he says and what he feels.”

Meanwhile, Woods said he debated returning last week at the Greenbrier Classic.

"The doctors gave me the clearance to go, so here I am," said Woods. "I started back practicing a couple of weeks ago. I was close to playing last week but the docs advised that maybe I'd want to take another week of training and really start pushing it pretty hard, so I did. And, I feel real good right now. It was the right thing to do and here I am."

Woods played nine holes alone early Tuesday, accompanied only by Bell, swing coach Sean Foley, spokesman Glenn Greenspan, some representatives from Nike and about five sportswriters. He also is wearing a new line of shoes designed by Nike.

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

Read more in Wednesday's Plain Dealer, including a column by Bud Shaw. Shaw is following Woods all day.

Cleveland Browns punter Reggie Hodges injured during practice

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Browns punter Reggie Hodges suffers leg injury during kicking drill.

 

hodges-practice-punt-jk.jpgReggie Hodges suffered an apparent injury to his left leg during practice in Berea on Tuesday and was taken off the field on a cart.

Updated at 12:35 p.m. with quotes from teammate Ryan Pontbriand.

BEREA, Ohio -- Browns punter Reggie Hodges suffered an injury to his left leg or foot during Tuesday's practice and had to be removed on a cart.

Hodges had taken a snap from center during a practice drill and was attempting to punt when his left leg appeared to give out and he collapsed to the ground.

Trainers were looking at his left leg and knee on the field, then he was placed on the cart and taken to the training facility.

Coach Pat Shurmur said the injury was to Hodges' left foot and that he was being evaluated.

Veteran long snapper Ryan Pontbriand was involved in the drill and saw the injury, although he did not make that snap to Hodges.

"It's terrible. I couldn't concentrate the rest of the period," Pontbriand said. "And I don't know what happened, but I'm about to go in and find out. Hopefully he can come back from this. I don't know. I don't know what it is actually.''

When asked if he knew anything about the injury, Pontbriand said: "I don't know. They moved the drill before I could even ask him. I've heard everything from the toe to the knee so I don't know. We'll go find out."

Pontbriand also talked about how important Hodges is to the Browns.

"He was the punter. He was the starter. We only have one in camp so he's very valuable. He's responsible for turning the field over, giving us momentum, pinning them deep and he was one of the top five I think last year inside the 20 and that's huge on gameday.

"Hopefully he'll be back and this will be just kind of a little blip in the rearview."

Hodges is in his third season with the Browns and is starting his sixth NFL season. He replaced an injured Dave Zastudil two seasons ago and then was kept over Zastudil before last season.

Last year was his best as he averaged 43.9 yards per kick, had 29 punts downed inside the 20-yard line and 15 downed inside the 10.

He also had a 68-yard run on a fake punt in an upset victory over New Orleans last season.

Updates on his injury will follow as soon as they are available.

Plain Dealer reporter Mary Kay Cabot contributed to this report.

 

Cleveland Browns: Which player will lead the team in sacks in 2011? - poll

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New acquisition Jayme Mitchell is hoping for a big season. Who's your pick?

dick-jauron.jpgDick Jauron is installing a 4-3 defense during Browns training camp in Berea.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- As Browns camp continues today in Berea, The Plain Dealer's Tony Grossi has a story about Jayme Mitchell, a player the Browns are relying on to be a key pass rusher in their new 4-3 defense.

Mitchell was with the Browns for 12 weeks of the 2010 season, never dressing for a game. When Mitchell became an unrestricted free agent, the Browns labeled him as a high priority and were able to re-sign him to a two-year contract.

As new defensive coordinator Dick Jauron installs the new defense, which of the Browns' defensive players do you believe will lead the team in sacks this season?

Plain Dealer Browns reporter Mary Kay Cabot has thoughts on that question and other topics on today's Starting Blocks TV.




Cleveland Browns training camp: Injuries has given young WRs a fast start, says Mary Kay Cabot (SBTV)

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PD Browns reporter says that with Cribbs, Mitchell and Massaquoi nicked up, newcomers have blossomed. Watch video

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Welcome to today's edition of Starting Blocks TV, hosted by Chuck Yarborough.


The Browns have big plans this season for defensive end Jayme Mitchell, as Tony Grossi writes in a story today. Which player do you believe will lead the Browns in sacks in 2011? That's the topic of today's Starting Blocks poll.


Today's guest is Plain Dealer Browns reporter Mary Kay Cabot, who says DE Jabaal Sheard is her pick. Mary Kay, checking in from Berea, also discusses the differences she's seeing between this year's camp under Pat Shurmur and last year's camp under Eric Mangini. She also discusses the Browns' injury situation at wide receiver, and how the extra repetitions created by those injuries have been a help to newcomers like Jordan Norwood.


SBTV will return Wednesday with Plain Dealer golf writer Tim Rogers breaking down Tiger Woods and the rest of the field at this week's Bridgestone Invitational at Firestone.




Kelly Pavlik says his Saturday fight is off, that 'I'm not going to fight a southpaw for peanuts'

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Former world middleweight champ confirms to Youngstown TV station that bout against Darryl Cunningham is off. Apparently, his "not going to fight....for peanuts" quote refers to an offer he got to next fight Lucian Bute.

kelly-pavlik.jpgKelly Pavlik has told a Youngstown television station that his scheduled fight against Darryl Cunningham on Saturday is off.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Youngstown's Kelly Pavlik, the former world middleweight champion, has confirmed to a television station that his scheduled Saturday night fight against Darryl Cunningham is off, and that another potential high-profile bout also won't happen.

Pavlik (37-2, 32 knockouts) told Youngstown's WFMJ-Channel 21 that he won't be boxing Cunningham on Saturday: 

Pavlik says, "The fight is off and the Bute fight is not going to happen. I'm not going to fight a southpaw for peanuts."

Pavlik, 29, told WFMJ that his action is a "business decision." Showtime was slated to televise the fight.

The "Bute fight" Pavlik refers to is the would-be bout matching him and IBF super middleweight champion Lucian Bute.

RingTV.com reported today -- but before the news that Pavlik was indeed calling off Saturday's fight -- that Pavlik was threatening to pull out of the Cunningham fight because he was not happy with the offer he got to face Bute:

A source familiar with the negotiations said Pavlik (36-2, 32 knockouts) is upset because he has been offered far less by his promotional firm, Top Rank, than Mikkel Kessler was offered to face Bute. Kessler turned down the offer.

The Cunningham bout is part of a package deal that is to lead to a fall match up against Bute.

"Kelly had heard that Kessler was being offered something like $3.5 million, and that he turned that down. So Kelly wasn't really happy with the $1.1 million that Top Rank was offering him," the source said on Tuesday, speaking on the condition of anonymity.

 

NBA lockout 2011: League files unfair labor practice charge and a federal lawsuit against the players

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NBA accuses players of being uncooperative in talks toward new labor deal by making "more than two dozen" threats to dissolve their union and sue NBA, to try to secure more favorable terms in new deal.

david-stern.jpgNBA commissioner David Stern -- here shown after a June 30 meeting with players just before the lockout began -- has been described as "downcast" after Monday's meeting between the league and players.

NEW YORK, New York -- With locked-out NBA players threatening to file an antitrust lawsuit, the league beat them to court.

The league filed two legal claims on Tuesday against the NBA Players Association, an unfair labor practice charge with the National Labor Relations Board and a lawsuit in federal district court in New York.

The NBA accused the players of being uncooperative in negotiations toward a new collective bargaining agreement by making "more than two dozen" threats to dissolve their union and sue the league under antitrust laws in order to secure more favorable terms in a new CBA.

NFL players decertified their union earlier this year, though they ultimately resolved a 4½- month labor dispute with owners of the pro football league.

Players' attorney Jeffrey Kessler, who also represented the NFL players, was named in the NBA's lawsuit for his use of what the league called an "impermissible pressure tactic" that has had a "direct, immediate and harmful" effect on CBA talks.

"For the parties to reach agreement on a new CBA, the union must commit to the collective bargaining process fully and in good faith," NBA Deputy Commissioner and Chief Operating Officer Adam Silver said in a statement released by the league.

The NBAPA had no immediate comment.

After a labor meeting in New York on Monday, the first session since the lockout began July 1 that included Commissioner David Stern as well as leaders from both the owners and the players, a downcast Stern said the sides were "at the same place" as they were a month ago in the hours before the old deal ran out.

Owners are seeking significant changes to the league's salary structure, claiming $300 million in losses last season and hundreds of millions more in each year of the previous CBA, which was ratified in 2005. Players have acknowledged the losses but disputed the size, and they've balked at the league's push for a hard salary cap and reduction in salaries and maximum contract lengths.

The NBA's lawsuit is essentially preventative legal medicine.

It seeks a declaration from the court that the lockout does not violate antitrust laws, in case the union breaks up to file an antitrust lawsuit. It also cites legal backing for the lockout itself, invoking Depression-era legislation known as the Norris-LaGuardia Act designed to prevent court intervention in a labor dispute.

Finally, the league's lawsuit also makes an attempt to secure support for virtually apocalyptic salary reform should the union dissolve. The NBA asked the court to declare that such a decertification" would in turn void all existing player contracts, because they're guided by the union's involvement in the old CBA. Without a union and a collective bargaining relationship, the league argued, the terms and conditions of those previously negotiated contracts would not apply.

 


Cleveland Browns can't turn to Dave Zastudil to replace injured Reggie Hodges

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Quick hits on the Tuesday morning practice at Browns camp.

 BEREA -- Observations from Day 4 at Browns training camp ...

 * Hate to see any player go down without being touched because it usually means a serious injury. Punter Reggie Hodges accepted a snap, planted his left leg and fell to the ground, crumpled in pain. He's out for the year with a torn Achilles tendon. Hodges punted for five teams in four seasons before having an outstanding year for the Browns in 2011 and earning his first-ever multi-year contract. He'll be back.

 * Don't look for local product and former Browns punter Dave Zastudil to be an immediate replacement. Zastudil recently re-injured an oblique muscle injury trying out for the Houston Texans.

 * By the way, Hodges' injury will require a new holder on place-kicks. He was very good at it. Backup quarterbacks are usually next in line after punters on holding detail.

 * Was a little disconcerting to see running back Montario Hardesty held out of full pad practice for the second day in a row. Coach Pat Shurmur insists it's just precaution. Hardesty missed the first goal-line and short-yardage drills of the camp, which are usually the hardest-hitting drills. At least Hardesty is not behind closed doors of the trainer's room doing super-secret rehab, like last summer. He's out there watching.

 * Rookie cornerback Buster Skrine had a short pick-six of Colt McCoy. Shurmur later said there was miscommunication.

 * There were a few dropped passes as receivers looked a little tired in the second day of full pad practices. Rookie Greg Little had one on a short throw. Unfortunately for him, it occurred very close to the fans and the resultant "ugh" from the crowd filled the air.

 * Besides Skrine, DeAngelo Smith and D'Qwell Jackson had interceptions.

 * Rookie defensive end Jabaal Sheard left practice early with a hamstring injury.

 * The holdup with rookie No. 1 pick Phil Taylor is over guaranteeing the full four years of his contract. All the done deals in the top 20 have been fully guaranteed. Taylor, at No. 21, wants the same and the Browns are resisting right now.

Cleveland Browns P.M. links: All-pro Joe Thomas a fan of the West Coast offense

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Links to Browns camp reports, and to stories on Buster Skrine, Usama Young, John Greco, Jayme Mitchell and much more.

joe-thomas.jpgJoe Thomas, the Browns' all-pro offensive tackle, is happy that the team will be running a West Coast offense.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Cleveland Browns have a new head coach and staff, a new offense and defense.

They don't have a new offensive left tackle, and that's a good thing, because Joe Thomas goes into the 2011 season with a perfect record -- four Pro Bowls in four seasons -- and in the early stages of what hopefully becomes a long streak -- first-team all-pro the last two seasons.

Thomas likes what is new about the Browns, too, including the new way they plan to move the football, as Jeff Schudel writes for the News-Herald and Lorain Morning Journal:

If the West Coast offense works the way it is supposed to, Thomas and the rest of the offensive line won't have to hold their blocks as long as they did when McCoy's predecessors were throwing downfield in the vertical pass offense of the last six years.

"I haven't studied the West Coast as an aggregate, but the teams that have been successful in the West Coast have a fantastic timing-passing game," Thomas said. "The quarterback hits his back foot and is getting rid of the ball because his reads are quick. His receivers run precise routes, and he knows where the ball is supposed to be.

"That frustrates the heck out of the defense, especially the defensive line and the blitzes. The blitzes can't get there and the D-line is thinking, ‘I'm doing everything I can, and I'm not even getting close.' That little bit discouragement helps you as an offensive lineman."

Plain Dealer and cleveland.com Browns coverage includes Browns beat writer Tony Grossi's report on punter Reggie Hodges' season-ending Achilles injury, suffered during today's practice; Grossi's training camp observations and his story on defensive end Jayme Mitchell; Browns beat writer Mary Kay Cabot's report that the Browns' trade for defensive tackle Brodrick Bunkley from the Philadelphia Eagles was nullified due to medical concerns; Cabot's discussion of the Browns on Starting Blocks TV; a Starting Blocks poll about the Browns; the Sun News' Joanne Berger DuMond's report on the chance to bid on an autographed chair for charity.

Goal to goal

Notes from Browns camp by ESPN.com's James Walker.

A report on rookie cornerback Buster Skrine, and Browns notes, by Fred Greetham for Scout.com's Orange and Brown Report.

Safety Usama Young, from Kent State, hopes to start for the Browns, writes Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal.

A story on new Browns offensive lineman John Greco, of Boardman High School. By Mike McLain of the Warren Tribune Chronicle.

The Browns hope for a big season by defensive end Jayme Mitchell, writes Steve Doerschuk of the Canton Repository.

A Browns training camp report by Daniel Wolf for the National Football Authority.

Browns training camp with new coach Pat Shurmur is quieter this summer, writes Jeff Schudel for the News-Herald and Lorain Morning Journal.

General manager Tom Heckert says the Browns still don't plan to pursue big-name free agents, writes Scott Petrak for the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram and Medina County Gazette.

A Denver Post report that Denver's mayor was the mascot for the 1986 Denver Broncos.

A myFOXDetroit.com report that former Browns receiver Braylon Edwards was with a group of people when two of them -- neither of them Edwards -- were allegedly arrested for fighting at a bar in Michigan.

Top pick Phil Taylor signs four-year deal with Cleveland Browns

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Defensive tackle is expected to be in camp on Wednesday.

Phil TaylorBaylor defensive tackle Phil Taylor has agreed to terms on his contract, ending a four-day holdout.

CLEVELAND -- The Browns worked out a four-year deal with No. 1 pick Phil Taylor, who signed the contract on Tuesday.

Taylor will be on the field on Thursday. Wednesday's practice is closed to the public. Taylor was the No. 21 overall pick out of Baylor. He'll step in at defensive tackle in the Browns' new 4-3 defense.

Taylor missed the first four days of camp, but coach Pat Shurmur said he'll work hard to catch him up.

"We are very happy that we were able to sign Phil and now have all eight draft picks under contract," GM Tom Heckert said in a press release Tuesday night. "It was important to get him in here when we did, and I want to thank (agent) Peter Schaffer for all of his help in getting this deal done.

"It is apparent that Phil kept himself in excellent shape since we drafted him and he told us he can't wait to get started."

As a senior with the Bears, Taylor started all 13 games, posting 62 tackles, two sacks and one forced fumble. He was second-team All-Big 12.

Cleveland Indians P.M. links: Can hitters follow up on their most productive game in two months?

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Indians scored more runs during Monday night's 9-6 win in Boston than in any game since June 1. More Indians links.

travis-hafner5.jpgTravis Hafner, here slugging a walkoff grand slam for a 5-4 Indians win over Toronto on July 7, hit one of four Tribe homers in a 9-6 win over Boston on Monday night.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Cleveland Indians go into tonight's game at Boston against the Red Sox after posting one of their most improbable wins of the season.

Improbable, because of how victory was achieved.

Monday night's 9-6 Indians' win in Boston was Cleveland's 106th game of the season. The Indians hadn't scored more than eight runs in a game since June 1, a 13-9 win over the Blue Jays in Toronto. That was a span of two months and 53 games.

That victory made the Indians 33-20. They go into tonight's game with a 54-52 record, in second place, two games behind the Detroit Tigers in the American League Central Division. Boston owns the AL's best record, 66-41, but leads the New York Yankees by just one game in the Eastern Division.

In the 20 wins between June 1 and Monday night, Indians' pitchers limited the opponents to 2.4 runs per game.

The Indians will start left-hander David Huff (1-1, 0.71 in two starts since being recalled from Class AAA Columbus) tonight while the Red Sox will counter with star right-hander Josh Beckett (9-4, 2.17).

On cleveland.com, Kate Hedlin previews the game for STATS and the Associated Press.

And, included in the MLB.com Indians-Red Sox game preview, Cash Kruth writes: 

Beckett is coming off his fourth loss of the season in his last outing against the Royals, in which he allowed four runs (three earned) in seven innings. He last faced the Indians on May 24, earning a win while tossing 6 2/3 innings of one-run ball.

Opposing Beckett is left-hander David Huff, who will be making his third start of the season. He's been stellar in his first two, allowing only one earned run in 12 2/3 innings. In his last outing against the Angels, Huff was on the other end of Ervin Santana's no-hitter despite allowing only one unearned run.

"Today, it was just bad luck," Huff said afterward.

Plain Dealer and cleveland.com Indians coverage inludes beat writer Paul Hoynes' game story on Monday night's 9-6 Indians win over the Red Sox; his Indians Insider, updating starting pitchers Ubaldo Jimenez and Carlos Carrasco, with more notes; his Indians Chatter; Bill Livingston's column on the trade for Ubaldo Jimenez; a Cleveland Indians Memories.

Talkin' Tribe

From MLB.com, reports by Jason Mastrodonato on Ubaldo Jimenez making his Indians debut on Friday in Texas, and notes including an update on outfielder Shin-Soo Choo, on the disabled list after thumb surgery.

Kudos for Indians second baseman Asdrubal Cabrera. By Matt Snyder on CBSSports.com.

Projecting the Indians lineups through 2015, by Jason Ruggiero for Indians Prospect Insider.

Indians 9, Red Sox 6 Monday night game stories by Sheldon Ocker for the Akron Beacon Journal; by Michael Vega for the Boston Globe; by Dan Duggan for the Boston Herald.

Drew Pomeranz on his way to Colorado. A Denver Post story.

Among prospects traded leading up to the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline, the Indians traded the best prospect -- starting pitcher Drew Pomeranz -- and the fifth-best prospect -- starting pitcher Alex White. By Cliff Corcoran for Sports Illustrated's SI.com. 

 

Crunch a stat for Justin Masterson: Cleveland Indians daily briefing

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If Justin Masterson keeps pitching as, he has will he get any love in the AL Cy Young voting after Felix Hernandez won the award last year with a 13-12 record?.

Cleveland Indians lose to Twins, 3-2Will baseball's new math put Justin Masterson in a good light when it comes to the AL Cy Young voting?

BOSTON, Mass. -- Wondering if there will be as much love among the stat gurus this season for Justin Masterson as there was last season for Felix Hernandez when he won the AL Cy Young award with a 13-12 record?

Hernandez, playing for a Seattle team that finished last in the big leagues with 513 runs, led the AL in starts (34), innings pitched (249 2/3) and ERA (2.27). He was second in strikeouts with 232.

The Mariners were shut out or held to one run in 10 of his starts.

Masterson will enter Thursday's start against the Red Sox with an 8-7 record and a 2.56 ERA. He ranks fifth in the AL in ERA and eighth in innings pitched with 151 1/3. His 112 strikeouts aren't in the top 10, but they do lead the Indians.

As for non-support, Masterson can match Hernandez pitch for pitch.

The Indians are averaging 3.8 runs per game in Masterson's 22 starts. They've been shut out three times and held to two or fewer runs five times. Masterson went winless in an 11-game stretch from May 1 to June 25 in which the Indians scored 22 runs.

Masterson went 0-4 in that stretch with a 3.34 ERA. He pitched at least 6 1/3 innings and allowed two or fewer runs in eight of those starts, but couldn't get a win.

It used to be that one starter on every staff was the hard-luck pitcher for the year. They wouldn't get any run support or the bullpen would blow their well-pitched games. They got a pat on the back, but they didn't get the Cy Young.

The talk this season has mostly been about the wonderful summers that CC Sabathia (16-5), Justin Verlander (15-5) and Jered Weaver (14-5) are having. Last year there were at least two pitchers who in a traditional sense had a chance to win the AL Cy Young. Sabathia was 21-7 with a 3.18 ERA and David Price was 19-6 with a 2.72 ERA, but baseball's new math convinced enough voters to elect Hernandez.

If Masterson's season continues at its current pace, he should not be forgotten by the practitioners who valued Hernandez's season so highly. Not saying he'd win it, but he should not be forgotten.

Tonight's lineups:

Indians (54-52): LF Michael Brantley (L), 2B Jason Kipnis (L), SS Asdrubal Cabrera (S), DH Travis Hafner (L), C Carlos Santana (S), RF Kosuke Fukudome (L), 3B Lonnie Chisenhall (L), 1B Matt LaPorta (R), CF Ezequiel Carrera (L), LHP David Huff (1-1, 0.71).

Red Sox (66-42): CF Jacoby Ellsbury (L), 2B Dustin Pedroia (R), 1B Adrian Gonzalez (L), 3B Kevin Youkilis (R), DH David Ortiz (L), LF Carl Crawford (L), SS Mike Aviles (R), C Jason Varitek (S), RF Darnell McDonald (R), RHP Josh Beckett (9-4, 2.17).

Him vs. me: Hafner is .353 (6-for-17) with one homer and six RBI against Beckett. Crawford is .400 (2-for-5) against Huff.

Lefty-righty: Lefties are at .250 (2-for-8) and righties are hitting .205 (8-for-39) against Huff. The Red Sox have four lefties and one switch-hitter in the lineup.

Lefties are hitting .175 (69-for-204) with four homers and righties are .196 (38-for-194) with four homers against Beckett. The Indians have six lefties and two switch-hitters in the lineup.

Quote of the day: "If we lose today, it will be over my dead body. They'll have to leave me face down on the mound," Luis Tiant, who pitched for the Indians, Boston, Minnesota, Pittsburgh, the Yankees and Angels on the way to 229 victories.

Next: Carlos Carrasco (8-9) is scheduled to face Boston knuckleballer Tim Wakefield (6-4, 5.06) on Wednesday. Wakefield is going for his 200th win. STO/WTAM AM/1100 will carry the game.

Cleveland Browns agree to terms with former Eagles cornerback Dimitri Patterson, source confirms

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Patterson had 52 tackles, one interception in 2010 with Philadelphia.

patterson-mug-nfl.jpgView full sizeNew Browns CB Dimitri Patterson.

BEREA, Ohio -- The Browns have agreed to terms with former Eagles cornerback Dimitri Patterson, a league source confirmed for The Plain Dealer.

The move was first reported by Jason LaCanfora of NFL Network.

Patterson, 28, gives the Browns the experienced third cornerback they've been looking for since Eric Wright signed with the Detroit Lions on Saturday.

Patterson (5-10, 200 pounds) started nine of his 16 games with the Eagles last season, making 52 tackles, 1 sack, 11 passes defensed and four interceptions. He returned one of those picks 40 yards for a touchdown.

His production was actually better than that of Wright, who was plagued by a hamstring early on and then finished the season on injured reserve with a knee injury. Wright started 10 games, making 42 tackles, nine passes defensed and one interception.

Patterson will be reunited with his 2010 secondary coach Dick Jauron,  now the Browns' defensive coordinator. He also spent the 2009 season in Philadelphia with Browns cornerback Sheldon Brown and Tom Heckert, then GM of the Eagles and now of the Browns.

Patterson, originally an undrafted free agent out of Tuskegee in 2005, has played for the Redskins (2005) and Chiefs (2007-08). Patterson will most likely come off the bench behind Joe Haden and Brown or rotate some with Brown. In any case, he figures to get plenty of playing time.

StoneWater's demanding No. 1: Golf Hole of the Week

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This demanding opening hole is anything but a gentle warmup for skilled golfers.

03sgHOLEWEEK.jpgView full size

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The opening hole of your round. Something to get your muscles loose. Nothing too challenging. A routine par, and we're off for a good day of golf.

But at Highland Heights' picturesque StoneWater, that's anything but the case. This par-4 requires thought and execution off the tee, precise targeting in your approach and steady hands with the putter.

Recording a par on this hole, which stretches from 320 to 432 yards, is anything but a formality.

"You must hit two good shots to get home," says director of operations Jimmy Hanlin.

But take heart. As StoneWater's opening act is the No. 1 handicap hole ... it's all downhill from here.


Ohio State Buckeyes P.M. links: Big Ten must get better, get more big-game wins

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Ohio State could slip in the aftermath of its scandal, and the other big-name programs -- including new member Nebraska -- have struggled in recent years when the games have mattered most.

bo-pelini.jpgMaybe Nebraska and its coach, Bo Pelini (photo), can help Big Ten football restore some of its luster.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The success of Big Ten football, like for all major conferences, is judged by its big-game performances against non-league foes.

Big Ten teams have struggled, to say the least, in such games over recent seasons. Now, the critics are even more eager to pile on, as the league's flagship program, Ohio State, attempts to bounce back from the memorabilia for tattoos/cash scandal that led to the forced resignation of coach Jim Tressel and the premature departure of quarterback Terrelle Pryor.

Maybe the addition of powerful Nebraska will help the Big Ten -- which now includes 12 schools -- restore a winning reputation.

In fact, the CollegeFootballNews.com/Scout.com Big Ten preview says:

The Big Ten’s big problem? It has to be better.

It will be, these things go in cycles, but at the moment, the new-look conference is full of big names without the big games. To be fair, it’s not like the Big 12 was a world-beater, the old Pac Ten was incredibly mediocre, and the SEC, even with its national championship run, wasn’t up to its normal standards last season. But all three of those conferences appear to be a bit better going into this year, especially the SEC, while the Big Ten has to hope for the superpowers to become true superpowers again.

Nebraska used to be special, but it hasn’t won a conference title since 1999. Going limp in the Holiday Bowl loss to Washington didn’t help the cause.

Michigan used to be special, but it hasn’t won a BCS game since 1999. The atomic wedgie applied by Mississippi State in the Gator Bowl wasn’t exactly a plus.

Penn State used to be special, but it hasn’t won a BCS game since 2005, the only one the program it played in since the 1997 Fiesta Bowl – before it was a BCS game. Getting picked off by a lousy Florida team in the Outback Bowl didn’t inspire any confidence going into this year.

Ohio State used to be special, but it‘s asking a lot of anyone, not just Luke Fickell, to try to keep up the impossible pace and the unattainable standard – at least on the field – set by Jim Tressel. Trying to give away the Sugar Bowl to Arkansas, and then doing it with an *, was an embarrassing way to end the run.

Buckeyes banter 

In the aftermath of the Ohio State scandal and coaching changes for both schools, there's a new twist to the OSU-Michigan rivalry, Kyle Meinke writes for AnnArbor.com.

Ohio State's players say the turmoil around the program will motivate them. By Angelique S. Chengelis for the Detroit News.

An ESPN.com video interview with Buckeyes safety Orhian Johnson.

Five head coaches will make their Big Ten debuts this season -- although Penn State's Joe Paterno is still on board -- Tim May writes for the Columbus Dispatch.

A story about Larry Larson, a former high school coach who is retiring from a radio broadcasting career that featured his Ohio State coverage. By Jeff Svoboda for BuckeyeSports.com.

The price of Ubaldo Jimenez overshadows the acquisition of a new ace: Terry Pluto

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Days after the Indians traded their two top pitching prospects for Ubaldo Jimenez, I'm still talking to myself ... and I still don't like it.

jimenez-rockies-horiz-pitch-ap.jpgView full sizeThere's nothing wrong with the Indians having Ubaldo Jimenez as the new ace of the starting rotation ... it's only the price tag for getting their new No. 1 that troubles Terry Pluto.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Talking to myself about the Indians' big deal.

Question: An hour after the Indians traded for Ubaldo Jimenez, you wrote an online column saying you didn't like the deal. How about now?

Answer: I understand why the Indians did it ... but ...

Q: What?

A: I still don't like it.

Q: Are you falling into the argument that Jimenez is another Fausto Carmona -- a guy who had only one really good year?

A: Remember, I don't like the deal. But that's such a superficial statement that unravels like this: How many times has Carmona had an ERA over 5.00? Three. That's three in the last four years ... the lowest being 5.31 this season.

Q: And Jimenez?

A: None.

Q: But isn't he 10-16 since the 2010 All-Star break?

A: Yes, with a 4.19 ERA over those 36 starts. His career ERA is 3.66. His highest is 4.46 this season. Even if you add a .50 run per game for switching from the National League to the American League with a designated hitter, he still doesn't come into a 5.00 in his worst season.

Q: Doesn't this sound as if you like the trade?

A: I like the idea of Jimenez. I like the idea of a 27-year-old who is signed through 2013. He makes $4.2 million in 2012 and $5.75 million in 2013. Since June 1, he's 6-4 with a 3.92 ERA ... and that includes the four runs he allowed in one inning on Saturday when the Rockies started him and he knew he was being traded to Cleveland. He has been pitching well lately.

Q: Hasn't he been losing velocity?

A: ESPN's Jayson Stark reported that early in the season, Jimenez was down about 3 mph from a year ago. But now, his average fastball is 95.8 mph -- compared to 97.4 when he was 19-8 with a 3.06 ERA in 2010. He still throws hard. He's healthy. I'm not knocking Jimenez, who should be entering his prime.

Q: Didn't you want the Indians to make a dramatic move, and one that is about more than this season?

A: So true. I hoped it would be for an outfielder who could hit, but I'll take Jimenez.

Q: So what's your problem?

A: What they gave up. I still can't quite believe they traded Alex White and Drew Pomeranz. One certainly had to be in the deal. Rockies General Manager Dan O'Dowd demanded both. Part of his case had to be that they are both prospects, and odds are that one will get hurt or wash out. Not mentioned is the fact that Colorado has drafted pitchers in the first round of every draft between 2006-09, and none have reached the big leagues.

Q: White has a finger injury, and isn't that what destroyed Adam Miller's chances of being a star?

A: Yes on Miller, who has a 7.01 ERA in 26 innings at Class AA Akron. And yes, White has a finger injury, but he's pitching now and set to soon move into the Rockies' rotation. But the point that Jimenez is an established, winning major-league starter is beyond dispute. White and Pomeranz are not.

Q: Back to the original question, what is your problem?

A: The pitcher last drafted and signed by the Tribe with at least 50 major-league starts and a winning record is C.C. Sabathia (1998). Josh Tomlin could be the next. To see White and Pomeranz close to arriving -- and both throwing 95 mph with control -- and now gone really bothers me. These are not cotton candy lefties such as Jeremy Sowers or Aaron Laffey -- they deliver heat.

Q: So did Adam Miller, and he got hurt, right?

A: Before White and Pomeranz, Miller is the only one with that kind of talent drafted by the Tribe this century. It's so hard to find guys with those gifts, and the scouting director did in the 2009 and 2010 drafts. They have interesting prospects in Zach McAllister, Jeanmar Gomez, David Huff and Scott Barnes -- but they don't have the pure stuff of White and Pomeranz.

Q: So what's your bottom line?

A: This is not like the Rocky Colavito deal (first or second), as some have emailed me. It's not a repeat of Brandon Phillips for Jeff Stevens. It's not a stinker of a deal because the Indians received quality in return. But I would not have made it with the price being both prized pitchers.

How to hit a long bunker shot: Ask the Pro

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The long bunker shot has its challenges, but it need not cause your score to balloon. Watch video

Plain Dealer columnist Bud Shaw hosts the weekly video, Ask the Pro, where area PGA professionals give tips to improve your golf game.

This week, PGA Professional Jeff Staker, from the Washington Golf Learning Center in Cleveland, tells you how to hit the ball out of the sand when you have a long bunker shot.

Browns training camp log: Day 4

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Reggie Hodges departs and Phil Taylor arrives in an eventful Tuesday at Browns camp. Watch video

browns-practice-water-ss.jpgView full sizeBrowns rookies Juan Nunez (left) and Owen Marecic hydrate during Tuesday's workout in Berea.

BEREA, Ohio -- What happened: Bad news, good news day.

In the morning, punter Reggie Hodges fell to the ground untouched after tearing his left Achilles tendon. The team confirmed he will be out for the season and undergo surgery. The Browns will try out punters on Wednesday. Later, No. 1 pick Phil Taylor signed a four-year contract and was on his way to reporting to the club.

Skrine pass: Rookie cornerback Buster Skrine (pronounced: screen) intercepted a short Colt McCoy pass and took it a short distance to the end zone.

Let's get physical: The fields finally crackled with the pounding of pads as coach Pat Shurmur put his team through short-yardage and goal-line drills for the first time. "I think we got a lot out of those today. I feel good about the progress we made there," he said.

Running back Quinn Porter vaulted high over a scrum of bodies for an apparent TD on one play. Replay review would have been needed if it were a game.

Coming soon: The veteran players who have had to watch from the sidelines after signing their contracts will not likely be able to practice until after 4 p.m. on Thursday. Since the Browns' practice day will be over by then, they won't take the field for the first time until Friday morning.

Injury report: Not practicing were RB Montario Hardesty (precaution), WR Josh Cribbs (leg), WR Carlton Mitchell (shoulder), LG Eric Steinbach (leg) and TE Ben Watson (concussion). DE Jabaal Sheard (hamstring) had to leave the morning session.

Wednesday's schedule: Practice is closed to the public.

Aurora to host first NE Ohio PGA Collegiate Day tournament: NE Ohio Golf Insider

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Next week's event is open to male and female golfers between the ages of 18-22. Membership in the PGA junior program is not a prerequisite.

AKRON, Ohio -- In an attempt to bridge the gap between the juniors and more-experienced amateurs, the Northern Ohio Professional Golf Association will stage its first Northern Ohio PGA Collegiate Day tournament next week at the Aurora Golf Club.

The event is open to male and female golfers between the ages of 18 and 22. Membership in the PGA junior program is not a prerequisite.

"We felt there was a need to fill," said David Griffith, tournament director for the NOPGA. "For the last couple of years, we've been getting calls from a lot of the players who graduated from our junior programs who were still looking to play some competitive golf against people in their own age group. We have the Pups program for the real young kids and our junior program for the kids through high-school age.

"The 18- to 22-year-olds are too old for junior golf and they needed a place to play, so we came up with the idea of the college program."

You don't have to be in college or a member of a college team in order to play. Entry fee for the 36-hole event is $125. Registration closes Thursday at 5 p.m. Call the NOPGA at 216-765-1214.

Two are in: While the 36-hole local qualifier for the U.S. Amateur is played Thursday at Weymouth and Fox Meadow, with 762 players competing for three spots, two players with local ties already have qualified.

Former Hudson and Kent State star John Hahn and his former teammate, Mackenzie Hughes, both qualified for the second year in a row at other sites. Hahn was medalist at the Moraine Country Club in Dayton with a 139 and Hughes finished second at the Marion Country Club with a 136.

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