Players will tee off between 7 and 9 a.m., hitting from the No. 1 and No. 10 tees.

AKRON, Ohio - The World Golf Championships-Bridgestone Invitational announced today that tee times for Saturday's third round have been adjusted because of the threat of thunderstorms.

Players will now tee off from 7 to 9 a.m. Saturday, and will do so from the No. 1 and No. 10 tees at Firestone, in threesomes. The gates will open at 6 a.m.

Play was originally scheduled to start at 8 a.m. in twosomes off the No. 1 tee only.

TV coverage of the third round will be taped and will air as originally scheduled, on the Golf Channel from noon to 1:30 p.m.; and on WOIO Ch. 19 from 2 to 6 p.m.

Be sure to check out the leaderboard, and get the latest Plain Dealer tweets from Firestone.

Browns were 5-11 last season with one of the NFL's oldest teams. Now, they're among the youngest. Links to reports on Josh Cribbs, Richmond McGee, Phil Taylor, Dimitri Patterson, Greg Little, Ahtyba Rubin, etc.

Lisa DeJong, The Plain DealerWide receiver Greg Little, a second-round draft pick in April, is one of the young Browns who will get a chance this season to become an impact player.

CLEVELAND, OHIO -- The Cleveland Browns didn't sign any marquee players in free agency.

It was according to plan.

The Browns believe the best way for them to build a contending team is through the draft. They think that no one player will greatly accelerate that process.

In line with that thinking, Cleveland has, in a matter of months, become one of the NFL's youngest teams. In 2010, the Browns featured one of the league's oldest rosters.

Pat McManamon of FoxSportsOhio.com writes about the Browns' youth movement (referring to linebacker Scott Fujita):

Fujita said when he lined up at outside linebacker for the first rep of the first practice, he looked up and saw three faces he didn’t know.

“We literally made introductions right there,” Fujita said.

Of the 80-some players in camp, only 10 are 30 or over. Of those 10, just six are definite or likely starters — PK Phil Dawson, TE Ben Watson, Fujita, G Eric Steinbach, CB Sheldon Brown and OT Tony Pashos.

Holmgren has turned the team over to GM Tom Heckert and his drafts, and the Browns seem committed to riding the storm with a young quarterback and young receivers and young defenders.

“There are a lot of moving parts in this,” Fujita said. adding the Browns are “a little bit behind the eight ball.”

Plain Dealer and cleveland.com Browns coverage includes Tony Grossi's story that the Browns won't run any wildcat offense this season; Grossi being interviewed on Starting Blocks TV, and saying the Browns will regret not drafting wide receiver Julio Jones; Twitter updates from the Browns' training camp in Berea; Mary Kay Cabot's Browns Insider; Grossi's story on first-round draft pick Phil Taylor fitting in with his new teammates, and his training camp log.   

No more

Scott Petrak writes for the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram and Medina County Gazette about Josh Cribbs' role in the offense:

Cribbs’ days as a Wildcat quarterback appear to be over.

“He’s not a big fan of the Wildcat, but he’s a big fan of getting me the ball as much as possible,” Cribbs said Friday after practice, referring to new coach Pat Shurmur.

Former coach Eric Mangini used Cribbs often as a runner/sometime passer while lined up at quarterback. Shurmur’s focus is on passing the ball with his No. 1 quarterback. Cribbs hasn’t run one play in the Wildcat during camp, but did throw a pass off a pitch Friday.

While that might diminish Cribbs’ role in the offense, Shurmur has been complimentary of him as a receiver. Cribbs looked good Friday in his return to practice after being limited since Sunday with a knee injury. He caught a slant against good coverage, stiff-armed the defender and turned upfield.

“There are some routes in our package that he runs very well,” Shurmur said.

Browns links

A feature story on new Browns punter Richmond McGee by Matt Florjancic of clevelandbrowns.com.

A Browns training camp report focusing on the team's new players, by Daniel Wolf of the National Football Authority.

Ahtyba Rubin and Phil Taylor manning the middle of the line in the Browns' 4-3 defense. By Fred Greetham for Scout.com's Orange and Brown Report.

Grading the Browns' free agent signings, by Steve DiMatteo for the Dawg Pound Daily blog.

Browns notes, highlighting cornerback Dimitri Patterson, wide receiver Greg Little and Richmond McGee. By Scott Petrak for the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram and Medina County Gazette.

Stories on defensive tackle and first-round draft pick Phil Taylor by Nate Ulrich for the Akron Beacon Journal; Jeff Schudel for the News-Herald and Lorain Morning Journal; Mike McLain for the Warren Tribune Chronicle. 

Browns notes by Steve Doerschuk of the Canton Repository.

Training camp notes by Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal.

Why former Browns receiver Braylon Edwards could sign only a one-year contract (with the San Francisco 49ers). By Matt Bowen for the National Football Post.

School, fearing an NCAA violation, refunds players' money for wristbands honoring former coach Jim Tressel.

COLUMBUS, Ohio - Two days after several Ohio State freshmen proudly displayed wristbands supporting deposed Buckeyes football coach Jim Tressel, the university has taken away the wristbands and refunded the players' money.

Ohio State spokesman Jerry Emig said today that officials wondered if wearing the wristbands -- which said "JT" on them -- were an NCAA violation. Emig says Ohio State decided to take a "cautionary" approach after the wristbands, which were sold by an Ohio State staffer, were mentioned prominently in several media reports.

At a news conference on Wednesday to introduce the freshmen, several wore the wristbands. They said they did so out of support for Tressel, who was forced out on May 30 for knowing players had broken NCAA rules but not reporting it.

Ryan Moore, Adam Scott and Rickie Fowler top the leaderboard at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational continues at Firestone Country Club.

Associated Press/Amy SancettaRyan Moore hits from the 17th fairway during second round of the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational at Firestone Country Club in Akron. (AP Photo/Amy Sancetta)

AKRON, Ohio -  Ryan Moore, Adam Scott and Rickie Fowler top the leaderboard tied at 8-under through early Friday afternoon as the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational continues at Firestone Country Club.

The Plain Dealer's coverage team is all over the course tweeting updates all day, including tweets throughout Tiger Woods' round. He finished 1-over for the day and stands tied for 37th at 1-under halfway through the tournament. Look for @sblocks and @dmansworldpd. 

Moore, who shot 4-under for the day, scored five birdies in a six-hole stretch on the back nine. That comeback follwed three straight bogeys.  

Martin Laird is one stroke back at 7-under after shooting a 3-under 67, followed by Frederick Jacboson, who shot a 4-under 66 and is 6-under for the tournament.    

Jason Day, who entered the day in second place at 7-under, is 1-under through seven holes.

Due to the threat of thunderstorms Saturday, third-round tee times off the No. 1 and No. 10 tees have been moved up an hour to 7-9 a.m., and players will tee off in threesomes. Gates open at 6 a.m.

• Check the latest leaderboard

Ubaldo Jimenez makes his Indians debut opposite the Texas Rangers' Derek Holland, who tries for a fifth consecutive winning decision when the teams open a three-game set Friday night in Arlington.

AP PhotoUbaldo Jimenez makes his American League debut tonight against the Rangers.

Arlington, Texas -- The Cleveland Indians made arguably the biggest pre-deadline splash when they traded for Ubaldo Jimenez last weekend.

The right-hander now looks to keep Cleveland afloat as it continues its push for the AL Central crown.

Jimenez makes his Indians debut opposite the Texas Rangers' Derek Holland, who tries for a fifth consecutive winning decision when the teams open a three-game set Friday night in Arlington.

With the playoffs looking like a realistic possibility, the Indians (55-54) hope they significantly increased their chances of making their first postseason appearance in four years by acquiring Jimenez from Colorado in exchange for four minor leaguers on Saturday.

"When I heard, I got really excited, especially the way they've been playing," he told the Indians' website. "They're only three games behind (Detroit in the division). They already know how to win, it's not a secret. They know ... they're not where they are because of a fluke."

While Jimenez is excited about joining his new team, he likely wasn't too pleased with the statistics he posted this year with the Rockies. The Dominican Republic native went 6-9 with a 4.46 ERA in 21 starts, lackluster numbers that could be partly attributed to a drop in velocity.

Jimenez's fastball has been clocked at around 94 mph this season after he averaged 96 mph over the last four years. He went 19-8 with a 2.88 ERA last season.

"The Indians got me because they think good about me," Jimenez said. "That's going to make me work harder every single day, because I know they're expecting good things from me, and I'm going to do everything possible to help them win."

After losing two of the first three at Boston, Cleveland prevailed 7-3 on Thursday behind a strong effort from Justin Masterson along with three hits apiece from Travis Hafner, Kosuke Fukudome and Carlos Santana, who had a two-run homer.

The win kept the Indians from dropping below .500 for the first time since they were 1-2.

"I'm sure (Jimenez) has a lot of other things on his mind as he's going to go out there, being a part of a new team, but hopefully that may ease a little bit for him," Masterson said. "I know he's going to go out and pitch his game and I think we'll like what we're going to see."

Jimenez will try to outduel Holland (10-4, 4.14 ERA), who's thrown three shutouts in his last five starts, going 4-0 with a 1.64 ERA over that span. Most recently, Holland recorded a four-hitter in a 3-0 win at Toronto on Saturday.

"I just have to continue to take it one pitch at a time, show no fear and go after hitters," Holland told the Rangers' official website. "My defense will make the plays. I give them all the credit for the success I've had."

The left-hander posted similar results in his only career appearance against the Indians on June 4, surrendering five hits and a walk in what was the first of his AL-high four shutouts during a 4-0 win at Cleveland.

C.J. Wilson and two relievers blanked the Indians the next day, extending Cleveland's scoreless streak in the series to 18 innings. Texas has taken six straight and 13 of 15 from the Indians.

Holland had compiled a 6.80 ERA over his first nine home starts before throwing a combined 15 innings without allowing an earned run during his two most recent outings there.

He'll look to continue his recent dominance as Texas (62-50) returns from a 2-4 road trip - capped by Thursday's 5-2 win at Detroit, which preserved the Rangers' one-game lead over the Los Angeles Angels in the AL West.

Josh Hamilton, who went 2 for 5 on Thursday, has gone 11 for 26 with three homers and eight RBIs during a six-game hitting streak against Cleveland.

Jimenez faces defending American League champs, whose starting pitcher tonight has four shutouts this season.

Associated PressUbaldo Jimenez (right) warming up with Indians teammates before Wednesday night's game in Boston.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Right-hander Ubaldo Jimenez makes one of the most anticipated debuts in recent seasons for the Cleveland Indians tonight in Texas against the defending American League champion Rangers.

The Indians acquired Jimenez in a blockbuster trade with the Colorado Rockies last week.

Tonight, with the second-place Indians three games behind the Detroit Tigers in the AL Central, Jimenez will face one of baseball's best lineups.

And, he may not get many runs to work with, if Rangers left-hander Derek Holland pitches like he has been.

Holland has pitched four complete-game shutouts this season, including three in his last five starts. The first time he blanked a team this season was on June 4 in Cleveland, when he stymied the Indians on five hits and a walk, with five strikeouts, in a 4-0 Rangers win.

To put Holland's four shutouts in perspective -- in this era of the disappearing complete game, let alone shutouts -- the 2010 AL leaders in shutouts were the Minnesota Twins' Carl Pavano and the Oakland Athletics' Dallas Braden with two each.

Richard Durrett writes for ESPN.com about the Jimenez vs. Holland matchup, first referring to Holland:

He's been steady and sure with his pitches and his approach.

"I think talking with my teammates has helped and having them push me," Holland said. "I'm more confident, but I'm staying grounded and focusing on each batter and each start."

He'll get another chance tonight against the Indians and Ubaldo Jimenez. It's a big challenge as the Indians are trying to stay in range of the Tigers in the AL Central -- and they acquired Jimenez to help them do that.

"He's a great pitcher," Holland said. "The best way to put it is he's got to face our lineup and I have to face theirs. It's going to be a good game. They are going after the same thing we are. They want to be first in their division and so do we. No game to me is ever easy."

Plain Dealer and cleveland.com Indians coverage includes Paul Hoynes' game story on the Indians' 7-3 win over the Red Sox on Thursday night in Boston; his Indians Insider; his Indians Chatter; his look at the Indians-Rangers series; and an edition of Cleveland Indians Memories.

Justin just fine

Right-hander Justin Masterson pitched another superb game for the Indians in their 7-3 win over the Red Sox on Thursday night.

Masterson was among the players the Indians acquired when they traded Victor Martinez to the Red Sox on July 31, 2009.

Julian Benbow writes about Masterson for the Boston Globe:

“He’s been pretty consistent,’’ said Indians manager Manny Acta. “His velocity’s been up from Pitch 1 to the last one. He’s pretty confident right now. He doesn’t go through that many breaking pitches right now and everybody knows it. He’s tough to hit when he’s sinking that ball and elevating that four-seam fastball at 96, 97. He’s in a very good groove right now.’’

The Indians have leaned on the 26-year-old to be the stopper in their rotation, but at the trade deadline acquired Rockies ace Ubaldo Jimenez to give them another quality arm.

“Right now, our main guy has been Justin Masterson,’’ Acta said. “He’s a guy that from now on and for a while now we’ve been trying to keep him on the five-day routine because he’s the guy that we want to see out there every five days.’’

Around the horn

A preview of tonight's Indians-Rangers game on cleveland.com, by Noey Kupchan for STATS and the Associated Press.

An Indians-Rangers preview highlights Ubaldo Jimenez.

Ubaldo Jimenez makes his Indians debut, by Scott Boeck for USAToday.com. 

Indians right-hander Carlos Carrasco can also pitch a little left-handed, Sheldon Ocker writes for the Akron beacon Journal.

A feature on Columbus Clippers outfielder Jerad Head, and other Indians farm system notes, on Indians Prospect Insider.

Indians notebook, leading off with an update on Indians outfielder Shin-Soo Choo. by the Akron Beacon Journal's Sheldon Ocker.

Transcript of coach Pat Shurmur's Friday news conference in Berea.

Transcript of news conference with Browns coach Pat Shurmur on Friday, Aug. 5

(Opening statement): "First, before I get started, I wanted to recognize the world wide Browns Backers Clubs that are here. We've got one of the most fantastic support groups and fans in the NFL. We're glad they were here to witness what I thought was a very competitive practice. As far as injuries go, Jabari Fletcher sprained his new knee. Joe Haden woke up today with a tight hamstring. Him not being out here was precautionary, there's nothing really to report there. That's about it, unless something creeps up here like a finger or a sore arm. There's nothing in there, beyond that, to report. I thought the work was good. It was pretty physical this morning. The guys that practiced yesterday afternoon responded pretty well to wearing their pads. Some of the obvious things, Phil Taylor, his presence was felt in there. You could see in some of those running drills. He's a tough guy to move. He did a nice job. At the end, there was a very competitive period with the two-minute drill. We got a lot of plays in one minute there. I thought there was great competition. It was a good, solid training camp morning. The players completed well. Fortunately, we walked away with no injuries other than Jabari."

(On the practice scheduled for tomorrow): "The stadium practice will be tomorrow. It's going to be a practice format. We'll try to structure it somewhat like a game, put the coaches on the side for some of the drills. It's going to be at the stadium tomorrow at 2:00 p.m. That'll be the structure. It will feel like a game in some periods and look like a practice in others. That's what I intend to do."

(On a timetable for Mohamed Massaquoi's return): "We just have to see how he progresses. I wouldn't put a timetable on it. Not yet."

(On if Montario Hardesty will be ready when they need him): "What we're doing with him is kind of a planned deal. As we started training camp, we knew there would be some actual live practice time that he would miss. We knew that. We're just working through that so we don't create any setbacks. Most of what's going on with him right now is planned."

(On if Hardesty is frustrated not practicing): "He's like any player. He's competitive and he'd like to be out here, but, I think we have to be smart about how we handle him on his return to play."

(On Hardesty, Peyton Hillis and Brandon Jackson sharing the backfield): "They all have things they do well. Peyton's a big physical runner. Montario can be very explosive. We're getting to know Brandon. I think he has some of the same skill set that we know Montario has. Those guys are all guys you can put in the backfield and hand them the football."

(On how Greg Little responded today after his practice yesterday): "I thought he responded well. He made some catches. He's a guy that can push through the physical part of camp. He runs a lot of routes and he did a nice job today. He did good."

(On throwing Usama Young into the starting lineup): "The players that we feel like we might be counting on, we want to get them in there and get them going. They're professionals. Some of these guys, even though they missed a little time with us, they got themselves in shape. Now, they need to get in there and do it."

(On if the lockout was avoided, would he have set up a scrimmage against another team): "I don't know about practicing against another team. We've had some move the ball periods and that. We're doing some of the work that you might have seen last year. I'm leaving the coaches behind so that they walk with the team and have the ability to coach them immediately. That would be the only thing I would see different. A lot of what you would get in a scrimmage, you'll notice, there were some unscripted periods in there when I was calling the plays. The only difference was that everybody wasn't away from it. There's coachable moments you can't miss when you're practicing. When the coaches are close to the players and behind and watching it's easier to communicate and get them right back in there."

(On strategizing for the new kickoff rules): "I think there'll be some strategy to it. At times, depending who your kicker is, who the returner is and the field conditions that the ball is going to get popped up in the air as high as you can, then try and get the coverage down and swarm the returner. If situations dictate that returner is out of this world and you don't want him to touch it and you have a kicker that can bang it through the end zone, then you're not going to let him touch it. There may be some extreme's there."

(On if the new rules are a disadvantage for Joshua Cribbs): "No, I think Cribbs is a fantastic returner. I think he's going to get his opportunities to touch the ball."

(On calling the offense back to the huddle multiple times): "Typically, it's for some of the guys that are lower in line, some of the backup type players. If a play comes out of the huddle and there's one or two guys not lined up in the right spot I want the quarterback to get it fixed. At some point, it just comes out and its way wrong and I can see nobody can get it fixed. That's when I blow it and start it over."

(On if it's just alignment issues): "It's just alignment issues, which is natural this time of year. There is a heavy load on their plate mentally and sometimes guys screw up."

(On if Richmond McGee will become the new holder): "Typically, you'll find that the punter is the holder. They're working together. We'll have other guys working in there as we move forward though."

(On Cribbs playing wide receiver): "He did a nice job today. There're some routes in our package I think he runs very well. He made a couple plays today on slant routes and little arrow routes. I think he's progressing as a receiver in my mind. It's good to have him back out there. I think it's important we keep him in a position where he can be explosive as a returner as well."

(On problems Phil Taylor presents to opposing offensive linemen): "He's a giant, just standing behind it today, by structure we tried to run it right a little bit just to see. He held up in there pretty good. When you have a big force in the middle that makes it difficult to run between the tackles then that makes in tough on the offense. You start eliminating options. Hopefully he can provide that for us along with (Ahtyba) Rubin."

(On if maximizing Cribbs" ability as a returner will minimize his reps at wide receiver): "No, he's not going to be limited. Cribbs is a fantastic player and we're going to try and put him in a position to make plays. However we can do it."

(On Branndon Braxton running with the first team during two-minute period): "He's done a good job. He was a developmental-type player a year ago. He's done some good things here in this camp. For linemen it's very important to go through it day after day after day. He's kind of swinging and giving guys some needed rest on both sides. He's done a nice job."

(On John Greco): "John is a guy I think that is versatile. I mean that because he's played in games at left tackle, left guard and he'd backed up at center. From that stand point he has been somewhat of a versatile guy and typically if you're not a starter, and you're an offensive lineman, you've got to swing around in there and able to back up. I like that about him, he is a big guy and I think he is a good pass protector. Being big helps him at times to be a good run blocker."

(On Sheldon Brown influencing the secondary): "I think you have to have guys back there that can help communicate and if anything just settle guys down. I think Sheldon has played in lots of big games for lots of years and I think aside from being a very fine player. he can help those guys."

(On Owen Marecic): "He has done a very good job. It's hard to find him making a mental mistake. He did a great job running the ball off the goal line. He has caught the ball well. When you watch the special teams drills, he does exactly what he is supposed to do. He is kind of one of those steady guys. I think that is an important attribute for a guy that's a fullback."

(On Marecic filling the shoes of Lawrence Vickers): "We have Owen and Lawrence is in Houston. That's the story really. We are glad Owen is here and we wish Lawrence lots of luck."

(On Brian Schaefering): "He is battling in there at defensive tackle. We feel like he can be a productive player in there. This is his first day in pads. We will get a chance to watch him on tape and see what he needs to work on. But, right now we've got him working in on defensive tackle."

(On his impressions on Joe Thomas): "Joe is a pro and you could see that when he came in. He is getting a little bit better each day. You can see that he has a feel for how he's got to ramp his game up and get ready to play the season."

Transcript courtesy Cleveland Browns

Vic Vatalaro knew where a lunker largemouth bass was hiding in Ravenna's tiny Lake Hodgson, a premier catch if he could hook it during a local bass tournament there almost 30 years ago.

FLW OutdoorsVic Vatalaro of Kent has been a star on the FLW Outdoors pro tournament trail, catching trophy largemouth bass like this one on Florida's Lake Okeechobee in February. Vatalaro is competing this week in the Forrest Wood Cup, the circuit championship on Lake Ouachita in Arkansas.

  Vic Vatalaro knew where a lunker largemouth bass was hiding in Ravenna's tiny Lake Hodgson, a premier catch if he could hook it during a local bass tournament there almost 30 years ago.

"My brother, Tom, and I fished Lake Hodgson a lot," said Vatalaro. "I was only 14 years old, so my mom had to drive us from our home in Kent, and rent us a boat for $7 a day. One day, I saw a sign that there was going to be a bass tournament there.

The entry was $10."

The youngster was a budding bass fishermen and couldn't pass that up, even though the Vatalaro boys would have to row their rental boat while the rest of the field was powered by electric motors. His mother, Barb Vatalaro, kicked in the extra cash and the Vatalaros weighed the heaviest stringer of five bass.

"We won $167," said Vatalaro. "I was hooked."

 Next week, Vatalaro will be on Lake Ouachita in Hot Springs, Ark., casting for the $600,000 winner's share in the Forrest Wood Cup, the national championship of the FLW Outdoors bass tournament trail. With temperatures in the mid-90s, it will be a tough place to catch largemouth bass. Vatalaro predicts daily weights averaging about 12 pounds will win the four-day event that begins Thursday.

 "Tough tournaments are my strong suit," said Vatalaro. "When I won on Arkansas's Lake Dardenelle (in August, 2009), I was praying for just five bites each day."

 Vatalaro showed how tough he was in the middle of the Lake Dardenelle tournament. While building a big lead, Vatalaro thought he was having a stroke. He wouldn't quit until the last bass was on the scales, then was rushed to a local hospital.

"Half of my face was paralyzed by then," he said. The emergency room nurse ruled out a stroke, and correctly diagnosed Bell's Palsy. Her positive outlook was a big help, said Vatalaro. So was the win, worth $119,000. 

 Ohio's premier tournament bass pro, Vatalaro has won six FLW tournaments and $773,786. That includes EverStart tournaments on Lake Erie in 2001 and 2003, and a Stren Series event there in 2006. It's no wonder Lake Erie smallmouth bass are a favorite.

 "Lake Erie is my favorite body of water," said Vatalaro. "It has great smallmouth bass fishing, of course, and I like to catch a few walleye and yellow perch in the fall."
 He doesn't think it odd that he got his start in Ohio, while most top bass pros are from south of the Ohio River.

"The tournament competition in Ohio is unbelievable," said Vatalaro. "There are a lot of good bass fishermen here, and a lot of good bass fishing. We sponsor the X Series tournaments, and Rory Franks' tournament trails around the area. You'll see 20-pound stringers weighed in at the Portage Lakes. Those are great weights anywhere in the country."

 Those local bass anglers also buy bass boats. Vatalaro owns Vic's Sports Center in Kent, one of the largest Ranger Boat dealers in the country. Started in 1992, he's turned it into a family business that includes his parents, Barb and Vic Sr., and brother Tom.

 "I started the business after getting an engineering degree from Akron University and working for Goodyear Aerospace in the early 1990s," said Vatalaro. "The Goodyear executives were always asking me to find the best gear for them, because of my reputation as a hunter and fisherman. So I got a vendor's license and started supplying the goods."

Vatalaro opened his Kent shop in 1992, and began fishing bass tournaments in earnest.

"I'm on the road 120 days a year now to fish bass tournaments," he said. "My brother does a great job of running the company while I'm gone, giving me the chance to really focus on winning."

Vatalaro has game plan for winning Forrest Wood Cup

 Vic Vatalaro's game plan for the Forrest Wood Cup on Lake Ouachita, near Hot Springs, Ark., is very basic.

"My technique is to keep things simple," said Vatalaro. "I've bought a lot of $30 lures and spent thousands on cutting-edge tackle. But I've won more money casting a basic 3 1/2-inch plastic tube or a small Zoom trick worm. I've won over $750,000 in my career. I'll bet $650,000 has come on those two lures."

Lake Erie comes into play, he said.

"Northern anglers who fish for Lake Erie smallmouth bass rely on tube jigs," he said. "Few southern fishermen have the tube in their arsenal. I usually rig it the old-fashioned way, inserting a jig head with an exposed hook. It's going to be my go-to bait on Lake Ouachita, where we'll be casting to flooded timber in deep water."

While there are new techniques for catching bass on plastic worms, such as the shaky worm tactic, Vatalaro prefers to cast a traditional Texas-rigged worm. It is a rig that combines nothing more than a bullet sinker and worm hook.

"It's probably a confidence thing," he said. "I went through an era when I had to use all of the fancy stuff. I discovered that those were my worst years, when I didn't make the championship."

This is Vatalaro's fourth trip to the Forrest Wood Cup since he exclusively began fishing the FLW Outdoors pro trail. Last week's preparation, he said, will be a key for success this week.

"I'm super organized with tackle and stuff," said Vatalaro. "I've packed all of my gear and thoroughly gone over the boat, from installing new spark plugs to changing the oil in the lower unit (of the outboard). It's a 14-hour drive to Lake Ouachita, and I can't wait to get there."

Woods's agent, Mark Steinberg, was a member of the gallery. He did nothing to call attention to himself but was routinely recognized by fans. Steinberg lives in Northeast Ohio.

Joshua Gunter, The Plain DealerTiger Woods reacts to a missed put on the 18th green today during the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational in Akron.

AKRON, Ohio -- Tiger Woods shot 1-over-71 to put him at 1-under through two rounds of the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational.

The man behind the tiger: Woods's agent, Mark Steinberg, was a member of the gallery. He did nothing to call attention to himself but was routinely recognized by fans. Steinberg lives in Northeast Ohio.

Clarke keeps level head: Playing partner Darren Clarke was all over the course in shooting a 4-over-74. One of the shots coming in was a severely hooked drive. As Clarke set up for the second shot, he kept asking the gallery to move farther and farther left. "If you've seen my score, you'd understand why," he cracked. The comment drew plenty of laughs.

No respect for the champion of golf: More than a few fans were moving and making noise as Clarke prepared to hit his second on No. 18. Clarke, the reigning British Open champion, played the shot without complaint.

Series of good breaks: Woods' drive on the par-5 second hole hooked into a tree, which redirected the ball toward the fairway. But the shot ended up in a strip of penal rough between the cart path and first cut of rough. Woods was able to take a drop into the first cut after it was determined that, from his normal stance, he would be standing on part of the path. He eventually made par.

Rough time: Woods periodically struggled to control his distance out of the rough. Each time, he looked down at his divots for several seconds. The grass did not talk back.

New look: Woods is wearing a new type of Nike shoe. "I'm able to activate the foot and get the whole chain working from foot up," he said. "I wear them all the time at home, all my training sessions are in them. There's no reason I can't play in them."

Sign here: ESPN's Tom Rinaldi followed the pairing and received a number of "Hey, isn't that Tom Rinaldi?" whispers. Rinaldi signed a golf ball for a young fan.

As much as Woods wanted to put on a show for the masses, though, his putter balked at the idea. Woods shot 1-over-71 in the second round and is 1-under through 36 holes at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational.

Joshua Gunter, The Plain DealerFans watch as Tiger Woods eyes a put on the 17th green today during the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational in Akron.

AKRON, Ohio -- Members of the large gallery that followed Tiger Woods today kept assuring themselves that their man's time was coming.

"Tiger's going to go on a run" was the refrain on the grounds at Firestone Country Club's South Course.

As much as Woods wanted to put on a show for the masses, though, his putter balked at the idea. Woods shot 1-over-71 in the second round and is 1-under through 36 holes at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational.

"I didn't putt as well as I did [Thursday]," he said. "Consequently, I never got the round going."

Woods needed 29 putts. Not only was the total two more than the previous day, the mechanics of the stroke were worse. Most of his misses did not threaten the cup.

"The path wasn't very good going back," he said. "Just not very good."

Woods has gone back to a Scotty Cameron putter, which helped piled up major titles before he switched to a Nike model last year.

Asked if Scotty Cameron is in his bag permanently, Woods said, "Uh-huh."

For good?

"For now," he said.

Woods refused to allow the putting issues to get him down. He said he felt as upbeat about his overall game -- specifically, ball striking -- after the second round as he did after the first. The Bridgestone event constitutes his first competitive golf since mid-May.

"I was so close to . . ." he said. "I know my stats don't show it, but I'm driving the ball so much better. The start lines are so much tighter, and the shape of the shots is so much tighter. I'm so close to putting the ball on the string. It's coming."

The first sign of trouble on the greens came at the par-3 12th, which was Woods' third hole. He missed a short putt for birdie.

Then came a stunner at the par-4 14th. After driving into the left trap, Woods only was able to advance the ball to within 82 yards. He rallied by spinning a wedge to 2 feet.

Woods did not hurry or take the putt for granted. He simply missed.

"Putter blade went in and under going back, and it was going to start left all the way," he said. "Hence, I blocked it to try to get it back on line and overcooked it."

One adult fan was so upset, he slapped himself on the head and said, "I can't believe he did that."

Neither could Woods. He stepped away from the ball and took a moment or three to gather his thoughts.

Nobody knew it at that point, but Woods was about to take the gallery on a Mickelsonian ride. Woods missed a 7-foot par putt on No. 15, only to right himself immediately with birdies on Nos. 16 and 17.

"Here we go, Tiger!" two youngsters cheered as Woods moved to the 18th tee. "Here we go!"

Uh, no we don't.

After Woods knocked a wedge to 11 feet, the putt went begging.

Woods bogeyed No. 4, birdied No. 5, doubled No. 6 and birdied No. 7 before closing with two pars.

Despite being frustrated that Woods failed to post a low number, the gallery remained enthusiastic and well-behaved. It continued to get larger.

Asked if he is surprised how many fans "still" support him, Woods said:

"I think it's great they come out, period," he said. "This is a big event, and whether they're following me or someone else, it's great to have them out here."

Another reason the crowd had a good time was that Woods and his playing partner, Darren Clarke, were enjoying themselves -- at least outwardly. Clarke, who won the British Open last month, followed up a 7-over-77 with a 4-over 74 but did not throw a club or swear.

Woods and Clarke are friends. As happened Thursday, they talked on the majority of holes.

"Darren's a great guy, and it's always fun playing with him," Woods said.

Earlier this week and again Thursday evening, Woods made it clear he is playing to win, regardless of the extended time off because of injury. He reiterated his goal after Friday's round, even as he is well back of the leaders.

He was asked if it would be so bad to ease up on the expectations.

"No."

"Why not?"

"Never have," he said. "Why show up at a tournament if you're not there to win? There's no reason to come."

A questioner continued: "There would be other guys who came back from injury -- "

"I'm not other guys," Woods said.

Fair enough.

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: dmanoloff@plaind.com, 216-999-4664

On Twitter: dmansworldpd

The Browns have thrown new free safety Usama Young into the starting lineup to see if he can handle the starting job. Watch video

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Browns are wasting no time deciding if former Kent State cornerback Usama Young can tackle the starting free safety job.

Young, who was signed last week as a free agent from New Orleans, was thrown into the starting lineup opposite T.J. Ward on Thursday, the first time free-agent signees were permitted to practice. He remained there today.

"The players we feel like we might be counting on, we're going to get them in there and get them going," said coach Pat Shurmur. "Even though they missed a little time with us, they got themselves in shape. Now, they just need to get in there and do it."

Young, who played his first four seasons in New Orleans after the Saints drafted him in the third round in 2007, is determined to keep the job.

"I've got to keep on working to get better every day," he said. "I know that it's still early and I know that I've got a lot to learn. I was absorbing it from the sideline and now I'm out on the field taking it all in, so it's been full speed ahead. I'm just trying to impress the coaches every play."

Early on in the off-season, the Browns homed in on Young, 26, as their replacement for Abe Elam, who signed a two-year deal with the Cowboys.

"We feel good that he's here," said Shurmur. "[The safeties] have to be able to work together, take charge and communicate well. And then you typically play on the weak side, so you've got to be able to come up and support the run. That's what we're looking for. We feel like [Young] can do that. We were impressed with him watching him play."

Young's main challenger for the job is eighth-year pro Mike Adams, who can also play cornerback.

"Those two will compete and we'll see how it shakes out," said Browns General Manager Tom Heckert. "[Young] is a real physical guy and a really good athlete. I think he's going to be good. We'll have to wait and see. I [also] like Mike Adams. He can do it all. But right now he's at safety and we have to find that other starter. I think between him and Usama we'll find one."

Young, who started six of his 52 games in New Orleans, welcomes the competition from Adams, who started two of his 15 games here last season and 14 over the previous two seasons.

"When you have someone like that pushing you, it makes you take your game to the next level," said Young.

In New Orleans, Young backed up safeties Darren Sharper, a six-time All-Pro, and Malcolm Jenkins, the former Buckeye.

"I was seen as a reliable player but I wasn't on there as a starter," said Young. "So I'm looking to start. I want to come in and I want to play."

Browns linebacker Scott Fujita, who won a Super Bowl in New Orleans with Young as a teammate, knows he's ready for an increased role. "No question about it," said Fujita. "They have a real good backfield down there in New Orleans and it was tough for him to break in on an every-down basis, so this is a good opportunity for him."

Fujita has seen firsthand just how versatile Young (6-0, 200) can be.

"He's an exceptional athlete," said Fujita. "He's one of those guys that can do everything on the back end. You want him to play nickel cover, he can do that. He can lock you down as a corner. He's big, he's rangy, good leaping ability, great ball skills. I think they moved him to safety [two seasons ago] in New Orleans. I always felt that body type-wise and skill set-wise, that's probably what he's most suited to doing."

Scott Shaw, The Plain DealerCleveland Browns' defensive back Usama Young talks after day three of camp at the training facility in Berea earlier this week.

Browns receiver Josh Cribbs played with Young at Kent State and knew him from back home in the Washington, D.C. area,

"He's a raw talent, very athletic," said Cribbs. "He has the same skills as Abe Elam. A younger guy, a little quicker. He's going to help this team a lot."

Young described himself as "a physical guy. I hit. I run. Wherever the coaches want me, that's where I'll play."

But he definitely wants "starter" to be part of the job description.

"If I said no, that would immediately make me at a failing pace, so I'm ready," said Young. "I've been working for it, and I'm just going out there every play to succeed."

To reach this Plain Dealer Reporter: mcabot@plaind.com, 216-999-4670

On twitter: @marykaycabot

"He's a fantastic player and we're going to try to put him in position to make plays, however we can do it," new Browns coach Pat Shurmer said of Josh Cribbs.

Lisa DeJong, The Plain DealerCleveland Browns' Josh Cribbs catches a pass during practice on day seven of the Cleveland Browns' training camp in Berea today.

Josh Cribbs lined up behind Colt McCoy, took a pitchout from the quarterback and fired a sideline pass to Brian Robiskie.

So new coach Pat Shurmur is still open to using Cribbs creatively in the Browns' offense. But it won't be from the wildcat formation. After two years of unfulfilled promise, the wildcat has been laid to rest for now.

"He's not a big fan of the wildcat, but he is a big fan of giving me the football," Cribbs said.

Said Shurmur, "He's a fantastic player and we're going to try to put him in position to make plays, however we can do it."

Shurmur views Cribbs as a receiver. There are no apparent plans to reset Cribbs as a third-down back, but he will visit the backfield on occasion in this new offense.

"I'm pretty sure there'd be times -- more than not -- I'll be in the backfield catching passes, or so," Cribbs said.

Stay tuned.

Little strides: Rookie Greg Little was no worse for the wear after getting extensive work in red-zone drills on Thursday and dropping a few balls. The physical receiver responded on Friday with some catches in a two-minute period.

"I'm a receiver. I'm born to run," Little said. "That's one of the most underrated qualities about a player -- endurance and durability. And that's what you want to make sure you take care of."

Little was not particularly distressed about his drops on Thursday.

"No, it was definitely some good work with our defense being so competitive, with me going against Joe [Haden] and some of the veteran guys, D'Qwell Jackson, Scott Fujita, Sheldon Brown," he said. "Those guys don't bite on double moves or head fakes, so it's really technique things you have to focus on to get open."

Little was suspended for the 2010 season at North Carolina and hasn't played in a game in 18 months. Yet he said he doesn't think he needs extra reps to shake off the rust.

"I take time and pride myself on studying and doing the extra things so I don't need as many reps to know exactly what it is I need to do," he said. OK, fine: Running back Montario Hardesty continues to be held out from any contact and Shurmur continues to insist it's strictly precaution.

"It's kind of a planned deal," Shurmur said. "As we started training camp, we knew there would be some actual live practice time that he'd have to miss. We knew that. So, we're just working through that so we don't create any setbacks."

Hardesty had surgery on his left ACL in September. The day before camp started, he beamed with the anticipation of finally getting back to playing football. Hardesty worked with the team on the first day of camp, without pads, but not for the past six days. Hold, please: New punter Richmond McGee got first crack at doubling as the holder on Phil Dawson's place-kicks. It's a sign that he might be the long-term replacement for injured Reggie Hodges. If the Browns didn't think that was possible, they would be breaking in new candidates to hold while their search for another punter continued. Quarterback Seneca Wallace and receiver Jordan Norwood can also hold on kicks. Tidbits: Branndon Braxton, a Youngstown native undrafted out of Oklahoma last year, is emerging as the top backup to both starting offensive tackles. . . . Newcomer John Greco is working with the second team at right guard. . . . Newly arrived cornerback Dimitri Patterson took Haden's starting spot Thursday while Haden rested a hamstring. . . . Shurmur said today's Family Day practice at Cleveland Browns Stadium "will feel like a game in some periods and it'll look like a practice in others."

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: tgrossi@plaind.com, 216-999-4670

On Twitter: @Tony Grossi

About 75 Browns Backers groups attended training camp today -- from as far away as Taiwan. Watch video

What happened: About 75 Browns Backers groups attended training camp today -- from as far away as Taiwan. Browns President Mike Holmgren and General Manager Tom Heckert spoke to the groups after practice and drew loud cheers. "We've got one of the most fantastic support groups and fans in the NFL," said coach Pat Shurmur. "We're glad they were here to witness what I thought was a very competitive practice." . . . Defensive lineman Jabari Fletcher was carted off with a right knee injury after fellow lineman Ko Quaye fell on the back of his leg.

"D" wins two-minute: The defense won a spirited two-minute drill at the end of practice. On third-and-goal with five seconds remaining, Dimitri Patterson deflected a Colt McCoy pass intended for Greg Little at the goal line. On fourth down, T.J. Ward knocked away a pass intended for Ben Watson in the end zone. "It was a very competitive two-minute drill," said Shurmur. "We got a lot of plays in one minute there."

Taylor a force: First-round pick Phil Taylor has made his presence felt in his first two practices. "He's a giant," said Shurmur. "Just standing behind it [the defense] today, by structure we tried to run it right a little bit just to see. He held up in there pretty good. When you have a big force in the middle, that makes it difficult to run between the tackles then that makes in tough on the offense. You start eliminating options. Hopefully he can provide that for us along with [Ahtyba] Rubin."

Injury Update: The following players were idle: WR Mohamed Massaquoi (foot), CB Joe Haden (hamstring), WR Jordan Norwood (hip flexor), TE Jordan Cameron (hamstring), RB Montario Hardesty (knee), LB Sydney Tarver (unknown), DL Jabari Fletcher.

Today's Schedule: Family Fun Day at the Stadium, 2-4 p.m. Free and open to the public. Gates open at 1 p.m. Parking is $5 in Port Authority lots. Autograph session after practice.

Shin-Soo Choo, recovering from a broken left thumb, has swung the bat well in batting practice on this trip. So well that he could start a rehab assignment at the end of this trip.

Chuck Crow, The Plain DealerManager Manny Acta says it's realistic that Shin-Soo Choo could go on a rehab assignment after the Indians return home Sunday from this seven-game trip.

ARLINGTON, Texas -- How Shin-Soo Choo took batting practice before Friday night's game against Texas will go a long way in determining if the Indians send him on a rehabilitation assignment when the team returns home from this seven-game trip on Sunday night.

Choo took early batting practice Thursday at Fenway Park to test his surgically repaired left thumb.

Before taking the field in the heat of Arlington on Friday, Choo said, "The thumb is a little stiff, but that's normal. Some days it hurts, some days it doesn't. We'll just see how it feels."

Manager Manny Acta has been encouraged by the way Choo has swung the bat in the cages and in early batting practice on this trip.

"It's realistic that he could start his rehab when we get home," Acta said. "A lot will depend on how he swings the bat today (Friday) and how he feels the day after. But it is realistic that he could start a rehab assignment pretty soon."

Choo has not played since San Francisco's Jonathan Sanchez broke his thumb on June 24 with a high inside pitch at AT&T Park. Asked when Choo, under ideal circumstances, could rejoin the Indians, Acta said, "Anytime from tomorrow to Sept. 30."

The Indians will send Choo back to Cleveland on Saturday and he's scheduled to take batting practice Sunday with the Class A Lake County Captains in Eastlake.

The Indians sputtering offense is also missing Grady Sizemore, who is recovering from a bruised right knee and hernia surgery. Asked if there was a timetable on his return, Acta said, "He's rehabbing. Talk to me in two weeks."

Headed home: Third baseman Jack Hannahan has been placed on the Paternity List to be with his wife, Jenny, who is in Cleveland and expecting the couple's first child.

Johnny Hannahan was born Friday at Fairview Hospital.  Hannahan is expected to rejoin the Indians on Tuesday at Progressive Field.

Shelley Duncan was called up from Class AAA Columbus to replace him. A player can stay on the Paternity List, which was created this season, for one to three days.

The Indians are covered at third base with Lonnie Chisenhall and Jason Donald. Donald started Friday night against Texas lefty Derek Holland.

Tonight's lineups:

Indians (55-54): CF Ezequiel Carrera (L), 2B Jason Kipnis (L), SS Asdrubal Cabrera (S), C Carlos Santana (S), 1B Matt LaPorta (R), RF Kosuke Fukudome (L), DH Shelley Duncan (R), LF Austin Kearns (R), 3B Jason Donald (R), RHP Ubaldo Jimenez (first AL start, 6-9, 4.46).

Rangers (62-50): 2B Ian Kinsler (R), SS Elvis Andrus (R), LF Josh Hamilton (L), 3B Michael Young (R), RF Nelson Cruz (R), C Mike Napoli (R), 1B Mitch Moreland (L), DH Yorvit Torrealba (R), CF Endy Chavez (L), LHP Derek Holland (10-4, 4.14).

Lineup notes: Acta gave Travis Hafner the night off. Michael Brantley tested his sore right wrist in BP Friday. If it passed the test, Acta said Brantley could pinch hit Friday and be available to start Saturday.

Him vs. me: Brantley, Cabrera, Kearns, Lou Marson and Santana are a combined 4-for-19 against Holland. They are the only active Indians to face him. Torrealba is 2-for-6 with a double off Jimenez, who has never faced the Rangers.

Lefty-righty: Lefties are hitting .239 (53-for-222) with five homers and righties are hitting .262 (65-for-248) with five homers against Jimenez. The Rangers have six right handers in the lineup.

Lefties are hitting .215 (29-for-135) with one homer and righties are hitting .281 (114-for-405) with 13 homers against Holland. The Indians have four righties and two switch-hitters in the lineup.
 
Quote of the day: "It helps if the hitter thinks you're a little crazy," Hall of Fame pitcher Nolan Ryan, who just so happens to be president of the Rangers.

Umpires: H Jim Wolf, 1B Derryl Cousins, 2B D.J. Reyburn, 3B Angel Campos. Cousins is the crew chief.

Next: RHP Fausto Carmona (5-11) with try to continue his resurgence Saturday night against Texas and LHP CJ Wilson (10-5, 3.38). STO/WTAM will carry the game.

Josh Tomlin walked into the clubhouse today before the Indians opened a three-game series against Texas and gave Carmona a black cowboy hat. Carmona put it on and looked good wearing it.

Thomas Ondrey, Plain Dealer filePitcher Fausto Carmona: A different kind of hat for the former farmer?

Clubhouse confidential: Fausto Carmona, who grew up on a farm in the Dominican Republic, told Texas-born Josh Tomlin that he'd like to get a cowboy hat.

Tomlin walked into the clubhouse on today before the Indians opened a three-game series against Texas and gave Carmona a black cowboy hat. Carmona put it on and looked good wearing it.

"He said he wanted one so I got him one," said Tomlin. "He looked good, too. I don't know if he'll wear it, but he looked good."

Reason why? ESPN, in a story about the Indians, said the reason they didn't acquire outfielder Ryan Ludwick at Sunday's trading deadline is because the Padres wanted Class AAA reliever Chen Lee.

Lee is 3-0 with a 1.37 ERA in 12 games at Class AAA Columbus with 29 strikeouts and five walks in 19 2/3 innings. He started the year at Class AA Akron where he went 2-1 with a 2.50 ERA with 56 strikeouts and 11 walked in 39 2/3 innings.

The Indians, who were asked repeatedly for Lee by several teams, thought it was too high a price for Ludwick, a two-month rental.

Stat of the day: Tomlin's WHIP (walks plus hits divided by innings pitched) is 1.05. It's the lowest by a qualifying Indians starter since Gaylord Perry posted a 0.987 in his Cy Young winning year of 1972.

Youth is stylin' all right at the Bridgestone. The young players haven't flinched at Woods' return to competitive play after an injury-induced 11-week layoff, both because of Tiger's rustiness and the kids' lack of up-close experience with his dominance.

Amy Sancetta, Associated PressRory McIlroy, right, from Northern Ireland, takes his putter from caddie J.P. Fitzgerald on the first fairway during second-round play in the WCG-Bridgestone Invitational golf tournament at Firestone Country Club in Akron today.

AKRON, Ohio -- Rory McIlroy was just starting the second round at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational when Tiger Woods was finishing, an accident of timing that perhaps reflects career arcs as well as scheduling quirks.

McIlroy, 22, of Northern Ireland is supposed to be the leader of the biggest youth movement in golf since Tiger in the mid-1990s.

And it was Woods whose inconsistency with the putter made him seem so yesterday in the second round. A 1-over 71 left Tiger tied for 36th place overall at 1-under 139.

Woods, who will be 36 before the end of the year, showed up on national television, hitting golf balls with a sawed-off club at age 3. McIlroy started hitting golf balls at 18 months.

Tiger was the youngest to win lots of tournaments, but the age-group record for the youngest American Ryder Cup player is held by Rickie Fowler, who is also dauntingly young, albeit a few months older than McIlroy.

Fowler is tied for the lead at the halfway point of the Bridgestone at 8-under 132. Joining him are Americans Ryan Moore, 28, and Keegan Bradley, 25. Adam Scott, an Aussie and a man with 31 candles making a comparative bonfire on his birthday cake, is also tied for the lead.

For his part, McIlroy is tied for 13th at 4 under.

Fowler's the kid in the hat that looks like a golf version of the German Army's coal-scuttle helmet, circa the Stalingrad Open. Fowler has no professional victories, but he has, say all the TV talkers, a future so bright he needs shades. So might observers of Fowler's DayGlo wardrobe.

In the top 10 are Australia's Jason Day, 23, Scotland's Martin Laird, 28, and Japan's Ryo Ishikawa, who won't turn 20 until next month. At the British Open a fortnight ago, Ishikawa had even longer hair than Fowler's luxuriant locks. "He had some curlicues going or something," Fowler said.

Youth is stylin' all right at the Bridgestone. The young players haven't flinched at Woods' return to competitive play after an injury-induced 11-week layoff, both because of Tiger's rustiness and the kids' lack of up-close experience with Woods' dominance.

"It's nice to have Tiger back," said Fowler. "But it's not something where I'm out there worrying about what he's doing."

"There might be some scar tissue for some guys who got beaten a lot by [Woods]," said Scott, whose new caddie, Steve Williams, is Tiger's old one. "But to go head-to-head with some new, fresh faces, they shouldn't be worried about that stuff, about how Tiger played in 2000."

Tiger started the fitness craze on the PGA Tour, among other things. Everyone on the Tour works out and eats roughage these days. Well, not Darren Clarke, but someone has to represent the Guinness and Montecristo crowd. Now, despite impressive distance by Woods in the heat this week after his latest injuries healed, the kids have still outdriven him often enough that his mystique has diminished.

The under-30 crowd, however, is still the generation touched by Tiger, Bradley insisted.

"I had Luke Donald behind me and Phil Mickelson a few groups behind me. It's something I dreamed about since I was 2 years old," he said. "There's a lot of really good young players right now, and I think it's a byproduct of Tiger. We all grew up watching Tiger play this golf course. When I'm out there, I can remember some shots he's hit."

If Bradley was inspired by Woods, who seldom gave a sliver of an edge to a potential rival, he is being mentored by Mickelson. This takes place in Wednesday pre-tournament games with money at stake and playing tips on putting and preparation on tap. "I read that he's doing it to try to help us young players in case we play in a Ryder Cup or Presidents Cup," said Bradley. "It's intense. He doesn't want to lose to us, and we'd like to beat him so we can tell our buddies."

Maybe it's also about etiquette and decorum, subjects which Woods never entirely assimilated. It might not be a passing of the torch, but it's how veterans like Mickelson, who is 41 now, light the way for up-and-comers in many sports.

For the record, Mickelson, dressed apparently in tribute to the blush of dawn, shot 3-over 73 Friday and is at even par, tied for 39th.

Asked about his mentor's pink pants, Bradley said, "I'd don't think he'd show up if he's playing in that game with us with pink pants on."

Kids say the darndest things. This week, they also play the darndest game.

Going into Sunday's Honda Indy 200 at the 2.5-mile, 13-turn Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, Hildebrand sits tied for 10th in the standings with veteran Helio Castroneves, just six points out of eighth. The next closest rookie is Charlie Kimball, 71 points back in 18th place.

View full sizeAP fileJR Hildebrand, left, crashes into the wall on the final lap as driver Dan Wheldon, of England, takes the checkered flag to win the Indianapolis 500 auto race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis in May.

LEXINGTON, Ohio -- Most people know one thing about rookie driver JR Hildebrand: He was winning the Indianapolis 500 before he hit the wall in turn four on the final lap of the race.

But he is not only having a stellar season on the IndyCar circuit, he is clearly on pace to be named Rookie of the Year.

Going into Sunday's Honda Indy 200 at the 2.5-mile, 13-turn Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, Hildebrand sits tied for 10th in the standings with veteran Helio Castroneves, just six points out of eighth. The next closest rookie is Charlie Kimball, 71 points back in 18th place.

"So far we are having a pretty good season," Hildebrand said. "We've had some high highs and low lows, obviously. Our biggest struggle in a general sense has been getting it together quickly on the road courses."

Hildebrand took his Panther Racing entry to a top practice lap of 115.142 mph around the steamy Mid-Ohio circuit, well behind Graham Rahal's fast practice lap of 116.706 mph. There will be one more practice this morning for drivers to get their act together, followed by qualifying in the afternoon.

"We're frequently good by the time the race rolls around, but we've been really inconsistent in qualifying [on road courses]," Hildebrand said. "We're focusing probably a little more heavily on qualifying now, getting maximum performance out of the car."

The fact Hildebrand has continued to have a solid season is a clear sign he has put his Indianapolis 500 misfortunes behind him. He was sitting on one of the highest highs going into the last corner of the last lap, leading the Indianapolis 500, before the lowest low of crashing one corner from the checkered flag.

"There are times when you want to sit there and forget about it, and times when you come upon a highlight reel and say, 'You know what, I'll watch this,' " Hildebrand said.

Holding a comfortable lead with Dan Wheldon more than one turn behind, Hildebrand seemingly could have shut his engine off and coasted to the yard of bricks ahead of the field to the Borg-Warner Trophy. But he came upon a lapped car and, well, from there nothing turned out right as he finished a heart-breaking second.

"I guess in the end, there are definitely some things I learned, and definitely some things I could have done a little bit different," Hildebrand said."But I'm quite satisfied with my decision to try to pass the 83 car around the outside of the corner rather than slowing down behind him and waiting until he got out of the way.

"Indianapolis is one of those races where you kind of got to go big, or go home."

On that last lap the track is at its trashiest, filled with the grit and spent rubber built up over 199 previous laps, and his challenge was compounded by running on tires that were at the end of their capacity.

"By the time I realized how slow the 83 car was going, I was going to have to jam on the brakes and go down a couple of gears," Hildebrand said. "In the big scheme of things, at the time, I thought it was less risky to try to go around him. I don't kill my momentum, I don't run the risk of running into the back of him, having to slow down that much, on the entry to a corner on 40-lap tires. You risk spinning the thing out trying to do that. I think the fact I've got no real regret about what I did, based on the information I had at the time, makes it easy to move on."

And the fact he still nearly won after crashing into the wall makes for a great video to watch and a great story to tell.

"It was one of those things, as soon as I hit the wall I kind of got the car back straight," Hildebrand said. "I'm like oh [expletive], I'll make it to the end at least. I was just flat on the gas, one wheel, trying to get to the end. I actually hit the turn one wall, after I crossed the start-finish line. I ended up halfway through turn one at the end."

But not before Wheldon had crossed the finish line first.

Slow cookin': The heat wave continued in Ohio and camped out at Mid-Ohio. By 2 p.m. Friday the temperature around the wooded road course was 92 degrees, which was cool compared to the 130 degrees on the track.

Say what? Rumors of Danica Patrick's move to a full time ride in NASCAR seem to pop up regularly, but nobody seems surprised by them as much as the open-wheel diva.

"I look at the Internet, and I'm like, 'Whoa! what's this?' " she said of the many articles written and newscasts that become near viral on the Internet. "I'm as surprised as anybody [when I see these rumors]. There is nothing to report. I don't have that [story] for you. I'm sorry."

The wisdom Phil Mickelson has imparted has not been confined to backswings, reading greens and putting strokes. He has offered advice about being a Tour pro, things that only experienced guys know.

Joshua Gunter, The Plain DealerKeegan Bradley, 25, is playing in his first World Golf Championships event and after a 5-under 65 Friday at Firestone, is in a four-way tie atop the leaderboard.

AKRON, Ohio -- In his role as one of the PGA Tour's icons, Phil Mickelson has been known to offer tips to up-and-coming players such as Keegan Bradley.

If the events at Firestone Country Club continue as they have for the past two days it could be the other way around.

Bradley, one of five 20-somethings playing in their first World Golf Championships event, shot a bogey-free 5-under 65 on Friday and shared the lead with three others (Rickie Fowler, Ryan Moore and Adam Scott) at the midway point of the Bridgestone Invitational at 8-under 132.

Mickelson, with one win and five top-10 finishes at Firestone in the past 15 years, shot an un-Lefty like 3-over 73 and is eight shots back heading into today's early-starting third round.

Still, golf's third all-time leading money winner has had a profound effect on players such as Bradley, who qualified for the Bridgestone by winning the Byron Nelson Championship in May.

"Phil has helped me a lot," said Bradley, 25. "He's a great guy. One of the first texts I got after the Byron Nelson was from Phil and [caddie Bones] Mackay. It was pretty cool."

Today's starting times have been moved up to 7 a.m. in anticipation of severe weather.

The wisdom Mickelson has imparted has not been confined to backswings, reading greens and putting strokes. He has offered advice about being a Tour pro, things that only experienced guys know.

"He seems to know what he is doing," Bradley said. "I think he really likes being part of the guys out there."

Fashion-plate Fowler shared honors for the day's low round (6-under 64) -- with young Italian Francesco Molinari -- to climb into the tie with Moore (a pair of 66s) and first-round leader Scott, who followed Thursday's opening 62 with an even 70.

Martin Laird, Jason Day and Robert Karlsson were tied for fifth at 133 as Firestone's demanding side has yet to show its fangs as 45 of the 76 players in the field shot par or better.

Bradley, ranked 115th in the latest World Golf Rankings, had four of his five birdies on the front nine and reeled off eight consecutive pars on the back nine before closing with a birdie on 18 by making a 14-foot putt. The putt left Bradley on top of the leaderboard, if not on top of the world.

"To be out there in contention here at Firestone I probably don't realize what's going on quite yet," said Bradley, a native of Woodstock, Vt. "I'm just trying my best to enjoy it because if you start thinking about it, it probably gets you screwed up."

If Bradley wins, he will become just the second player to win a WGC event in his first start. The other was Jeff Maggert, who won the first event in 1999.

Fowler, decked out in an outfit of matching electric lime green shirt and shoes and cobalt blue pants, had eight birdies, four bogeys and an eagle in shooting his second-lowest round of the year. His eagle came from 110 yards on the 429-yard third hole when his shot spun back into the cup.

"It was a whole day of up and down," said Fowler, who finished in a tie for 33rd here last year. "I started with three pars and after that it was just kind of go, stop for a second, go, stop for a second. But, it was fun. It's always nice to know that making a lot of birdies is a good thing. There's always something to take out of it."

Moore, who has missed just one cut in 16 starts this year, finished in a tie for 16th here last year. The 29-year-old from Tacoma, Wash., closed out his front nine with three straight bogeys to make the turn in 36, but opened the back side with three consecutive birdies and five in his first six holes, one-putting each time.

Using a new putter he rolled them in from eight, 15, 23, 10, 32 and five feet on his first six holes.

"I've had [the new putter] for a while and every time I go home it looks good," he said. "And I've wanted to throw it in the bag and I finally did it this week."

Scott had a chance on the 18th to shoot his second straight round in the 60s but his approach from 70 yards hit the pin and bounced about nine feet away.

"I did well to two-putt there," he said.

He's 22, has that edgy California punk skateboarder look (and, in fact, grew up racing BMX bikes) and has made himself a fashion statement with style, flair and the brightest color-coordinated combinations on the course.

Joshua Gunter, The Plain DealerA fan tries to get a hat signed as Rickie Fowler walks by after the ninth hole today during the Bridgestone Invitational in Akron. Fowler shot -6 on the day, putting him at -8 thus far.

AKRON, Ohio -- Salem High golf coach Barb Wollitz had invited members of her team to watch the pros with her at Firestone.

"Yeah," they swooned, "is Rickie going to be there?"

He would hate this description, but Rickie Fowler is the Justin Bieber of the golf circuit.

He's 22, has that edgy California punk skateboarder look (and, in fact, grew up racing BMX bikes) and has made himself a fashion statement with style, flair and the brightest color-coordinated combinations on the course.

On Friday, he blistered the Akron country club's South Course with eight birdies and an eagle for a 6-under 64.

Fowler overcame four bogeys to leap into a four-way tie for first at 8 under after two rounds of the World Golf Championships-Bridgestone Invitational.

And his following grew larger, more vocal and infatuated.

"Because he's hot," said Allison Oshnock, a Salem junior, one of four Salem teammates who accepted the coach's invitation.

View full sizeAmy Sancetta, AP"Because he's hot": Rickie Fowler smiles after making birdie on the eighth hole during second-round play in the Bridgestone Invitational golf tournament at Firestone Country Club in Akron today.

They edged to the ropes anytime Fowler walked by -- rendered speechless. One covered her heart with her hands and sighed, giddy as he strolled past in a lime-green shirt, shoes and hat, with his familiar thatch of brown straw hair jutting out.

Fowler, who won the 2005 Hudson Junior Invitational, joining previous winners Phil Mickelson and John Daly, has been a pro for not quite two years.

He's never won a professional tournament. He had never led after any round in a WGC event.

But after downing his traditional peanut-butter-and-jelly sandwich at the turn, he played like maybe his time had arrived.

Fowler's putter saved him time and again. He needed just a round-best 21 putts Friday, sinking a pair of 25-footers and three 18-footers to overcome mistakes.

But it was an eagle on No. 3 -- only the second on that hole since 1983, according to course officials -- that wowed the throng.

"Rickie, it's your day, baby," a man yelled.

"This is the week Rickie, believe it!" shouted another.

Fowler holed his gap wedge shot from 110 yards out, landing the ball just past the hole before it scrambled back.

"Dude, insane!" said Matt Erdelyi, a Kent State graduate student from Twinsburg in a bright orange Fowler hat and shirt. He even bought tennis-shoe laces to match.

Fowler is doing for an outline of the Puma cat what Tiger Woods has done for the Nike swoosh. It was everywhere along the Fowler trail.

Three-year-old Camden Shackett rode atop his father's shoulders in a white and orange-trimmed Fowler hat, orange golf shirt and plaid shorts.

Sean Shackett of Richfield said his son gravitates to the television when Fowler is on.

"For me," he said, "he's just a normal kid with great talent."

His fans said he's a breath of fresh air, a new, rising youngblood they relate to and who makes a point to relate to them.

"You know, it's the least I can do to give back to them, signing autographs when I can," said Fowler, his hat on backwards, with a Red Bull bottle next to him while answering reporters after the round.

"I feel like I have a good connection with the younger crowd, and it's cool to see young boys and girls out there following me around and calling out my name."

Or occasionally swooning.

Carlos Santana drove in five runs in his first two at-bats to help Ubaldo Jimenez in a shaky first start for the Indians.

ARLINGTON, Texas -- Closer Chris Perez gave up a two-run homer to Michael Young with two out in the ninth Friday night as Texas tied the Indians, 2-2, to take the game into extra innings at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington.

The game was still tied after 10 innings.

Carlos Santana drove in a career-high five runs in his first two at-bats to stake Ubaldo Jimenez to a 7-5 lead after six innings.

Santana, who had three hits and three RBI on Thursday, hit a three-run homer in the first inning off lefty Derek Holland. It was his 17th homer overall, but just his third off a lefty.

Jason Kipnis and Asdrubal Cabrera singled to get Santana to the plate.

Jimenez's first pitch as an Indian was a strike. His second was a ball. His third was a double by Ian Kinsler. Kinsler stole third and scored on Jimenez's wild pitch, but
he managed to work through the 25-pitch inning without another run scoring.

Enter Santana, again.

Austin Kearns started the three-run second with a walk. Jason Donald moved him to second with a single that almost knocked the glove off third baseman Nelson Cruz. Holland, who threw 32 pitches in the first inning, retired Ezequiel Carrera on a fly ball to right to send Kearns to third. Kipnis delivered Kearns for a 4-1 lead on a grounder to second.

After Cabrera reached on an error by shortstop Elvis Andrus, Santana doubled to left center to make it 6-1. After striking out four times Wednesday against Boston, Santana has five hits in his last six at-bats.

The double knocked Holland out of the game. The last time he faced the Indians he beat them on a five-hit shutout.

Jimenez continued to struggle through the second and third. Andrus made it 6-2 with a two-out RBI single in the second. By the time the inning was over, Jimenez was at 49 pitches.

In the third, Jimenez faced five batters. Mitch Moreland made it 7-3 with a two-out RBI single. The one thing Jimenez was doing was throwing hard.

There were reports his velocity had dropped, but he hit 97 mph in striking out Cruz and gave up a single to Mike Napoli on a 97-mph fastball. He ended the inning with 70 pitches.

Jimenez finally had his first easy inning in the fourth. He retired the side in order thanks to a leaping catch by Cabrera at short on Kinsler's liner for the second out.
He needed only 13 pitches to get through that inning.

In the fifth, Jimenez retired the side in order for the second straight time on 14 pitches. He showed a feel for a breaking ball as well, striking out Cruz to end the inning on a 80 mph change up.

Through five innings, Josh Hamilton and Cruz, two of the Rangers big bats, were a combined 0-for-6 with five strikeouts against Jimenez.

Holland allowed six runs, four earned, on five hits in 1 2/3 innings.

Shelley Duncan gave the Indians a 7-2 lead with a two-out homer in the third. Duncan joined the team Friday from Class AAA Columbus when Jack Hannahan was put on the Paternity List.

It was Duncan's fourth homer this season and his first since July 3 against Cincinnati.

The Indians acquired Jimenez on July 31 from the Rockies for four minor leaguers, including No.1 picks Drew Pomeranz and Alex White.

Jimenez came out for the sixth with 98 pitches, but it wasn't a good idea. He gave up a leadoff homer to Mike Napoli and walked Moreland. Chad Durbin relieved and the Rangers made it 7-5 as Moreland took third on Yovit Torrealba's single and Endy Chavez's sacrifice fly to right.

Kosuke Fukudome made a nice running catch on Chavez's drive or it could have been worse.

Jimenez allowed five runs on seven hits in five innings. He struck out seven and walked three in 108 pitches.