While the Browns make little strides on offense, rookie receiver Greg Little is making big ones.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The emphasis was on passing in the Browns' Family Day practice in Cleveland Browns Stadium, and the beneficiary was Greg Little.

Little, who may have the most inapt name of all the new Browns, plays taller than his listed height of 6-2 and stronger than his listed weight of 220 pounds. An announced crowd of 11,965 may have come away a little more convinced of the team's argument against pursuing a No. 1 receiver in free agency.

In red-zone drills on plays starting inside the 20, Little displayed the talent that attracted him to the Browns in the second round of the draft. On one Colt McCoy throw to the left corner of the end zone, Little leaped above cornerback Dimitri Patterson and safety Usama Young to snare the touchdown. A few plays later, he cradled a pass from Seneca Wallace on a skinny route to the post.

After the latter catch, Little stepped to the goalpost and did a 180-degree, behind-the-head slam of the ball over the crossbar. He later termed the dunk "boomshakalaka."

"Just having fun," Little said. "It is a practice, but fans come out and they want to see some exciting plays. I definitely wanted to go out and better myself from Thursday's practice, definitely progress from that."

It's been an eventful week for Little. Coach Pat Shurmur worked Little hard in red-zone drills and there were several drops on Thursday. But Little's positive response the following two days has been pleasing to the coach. Shurmur said on draft day that Little could be the team's No. 1 receiver. By the end of the first week of practice, Little was the best receiver out there.

"He's a big receiver," Shurmur said. "I think he does a good job using his body. For him to go up and get the ball at his highest point is good. He's kind of running himself into playing shape."

McCoy said, "In the red zone, he's a big body guy, you throw it up and hopefully he goes and makes a play."

The offense had the upper hand in the red-zone drills, but the defense responded in two-minute drills at the conclusion of the two-hour practice session. McCoy was intercepted on his third play by undrafted cornerback James Dockery on a ball intended for Josh Cribbs. Shurmur gave the first unit another chance at the end, and it moved only 22 yards. Phil Dawson's 60-yard field goal try on the final play was far enough, but it floated off-target to the right.

Wallace and No. 3 quarterback Jarrett Brown took their teams to field goals converted by free agent Jeff Wolfert.

Other touchdown catches were recorded by tight end Evan Moore, who crossed behind linebacker D'Qwell Jackson for a big gain, and Hillis on a couple of runs after short passes.

Besides Dockery, Mike Adams had an interception of a pass that deflected off Hillis' hands. Rookie safety Eric Hagg broke up a few passes. Sacks weren't allowed, but the pressure was good enough at times to send quarterbacks scurrying out of the pocket.

Despite a number of passes being off target, Shurmur is convinced the offense is improving by the day. There is no manual on how to whip a young team learning new systems into form without a typical off-season of work.

"Right now, our timing's just a little off," McCoy said. "The depths of our routes, my footwork in the pocket, they're just not timing up like I want them to at this point. But we're night and day compared to where we started. You've got to look at that and be pleased by that."

Wallace is one of the few players on hand who knows what the final product is supposed to feel and look like.

"You've got a bunch of young guys, no OTAs or minicamps, and not a big window to get ready for the first game," Wallace said. "It's a lot thrown at them. Each day they're getting better. As a whole, we moved forward."

From his vantage point at the back of the defense, cornerback Sheldon Brown said, "I'm from the West Coast situation. It's all timing. I definitely think we have the talent to make it work. We just have to execute. It's tough on young players just coming in. You just keep encouraging them.

"Just got to bring them along. That's what veterans are for."

The big show: Although about 59,000 of the stadium's seats were empty, some rookies got an adrenaline rush stepping onto the field for the first time. Dockery, a rookie cornerback from Oregon State, said it was a dream come true.

"I had my eyes open so wide," he said. "I stopped in the tunnel [on the way out of the locker room] to take it all in. Every kid that plays this sport dreams about the NFL, so if I don't make it to game days at least I got to experience that today."

Dockery's interception of McCoy atoned for a missed one in practice this week. He got ribbed about it and was happy to redeem himself in front of a crowd six or seven times larger than the typical practice audience during the week.

Rookie No. 1 pick Phil Taylor said of his stadium experience, "Loved it. Can't wait to get there for a real game."

Going, going: The Browns announced single-game tickets to two home games have been sold out -- the opener on Sept. 11 against the Bengals and the finale Jan. 1 against the Steelers. There are seats available for those games through season tickets, club level memberships and four-game packs.

On Twitter: @TonyGrossi

The new coaches and players got acclimated to playing in the stadium during Family Fun Day, a two-hour practice in front of 11,965 fans.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- What happened: The new coaches and players got acclimated to playing in the stadium during Family Fun Day, a two-hour practice in front of 11,965 fans. The offense scored plenty of crowd-pleasing touchdowns (no live tackling) in red zone drills.

"It was exciting," said head coach Pat Shurmur. "I think the ritual of playing in a stadium is something that excites all players and coaches. Even though it was a practice against one another, you could see the excitement in the players' faces as they were getting dressed."

More of Moore: Tight end Evan Moore caught four TD passes on the afternoon, including one in the back left corner in red zone drills after Colt McCoy scrambled to the left and another 45-yard catch-and-run from McCoy in team drills.

"He's a big target," said Shurmur. "He runs extremely well. We're hopeful he can be a tough matchup for the linebacker and the safety. He catches the ball when you throw it to him. Those are good attributes for a receiver."

Showing up: Seventh-round safety Eric Hagg almost picked off a pass intended for Brian Robiskie and broke up another to Ben Watson. Sheldon Brown broke up a pass in the end zone for Johnathan Haggerty. Coupled with interceptions by Mike Adams and rookie James Dockery, the DBs made some big plays.

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 (knee). DE Marcus Benard came out with a sore knee from a pass-rush drill and Carlton Mitchell came out after having issues with the heat, Shurmur said.

Sunday's schedule: Players are off. Next practice is 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday in Berea in full pads.

Ubaldo Jimenez says his velocity is coming back, but he still needs to find his command.

View full sizeMatt Strasen, Associated Press"I couldn't command my fastball," Indians pitcher Ubaldo Jimenez of Friday's AL debut against the Rangers. "It was moving too much. I could only throw a breaking ball for a strike in the first three innings."

ARLINGTON, Texas -- Ubaldo Jimenez had no idea where it was going Friday night in his Indians' debut at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington. He was talking about his fastball -- at 95-97 mph, that's not something you want to let roam about untethered.

On the plus side, Jimenez was throwing his fastball that hard. There had been reports before the Indians acquired him from Colorado on July 31 that his velocity was off.

"It's been a while since I let it go like that," said Jimenez. "My velocity is coming back. There have been times when I've thrown between 97 and 98. When it comes back, you'll know."

The Indians kept track of Jimenez's fastball in Friday's 8-7 loss to Texas. PitchFX, the system used to measure velocity at all MLB ballparks, had Jimenez topping out at 97.7 mph and averaging 94.9 mph with his four-seam fastball and 93.77 mph with his two-seam fastball.

"My problem was I couldn't command my fastball," said Jimenez. "It was moving too much. I could only throw a breaking ball for a strike in the first three innings. I finally got control of the fastball in fourth and fifth innings.

"Now I have to get my command and velocity."

Jimenez allowed five runs on seven hits in five innings. He struck out seven, four in the last two innings.

"Ubaldo had pretty good stuff, he just didn't have good command early in the game," said manager Manny Acta after Friday's game. "His pitch count was too high in the first three innings and that ended up hurting him after he found his rhythm.

"He showed a good fastball, good breaking ball and good change-up. He just lacked a little command."

GM Chris Antonetti, who engineered the trade for Jimenez, watched him pitch on TV from Cleveland.

"His stuff was good, but early in game he was pitching from behind too much," said Antonetti. "I'm sure he was excited, pitching on a new team with a new league."

Confirmed Jimenez, "I was really excited." He threw 108 pitches, 63 for strikes.

Walk-off losses: The Indians have lost three of the first five games on this seven-game trip in their opponent's last at-bat. Boston beat them twice and Texas beat them Friday. They are 16-13 in games decided in the last at-bat this season.

"Boston and Texas are two of the best teams in the league and we've been in every game against them," said Antonetti.

As for the sting of losing in walk-off fashion, Acta said, "We've done that to a lot of teams this year." They've won 12 games in their last at-bat at home.

He's back: Michael Brantley made his first start in three games Saturday night. He'd been out of the starting lineup with a sore right wrist.

"I don't know how it happened. Just the wear and tear of the season," said Brantley, who entered Friday's game as a defensive replacement in the ninth inning. He started the 11th inning with a single off the glove of second baseman Ian Kinsler.

Check up: Dr. Thomas Graham, who performed the surgery on Shin-Soo Choo's broken left thumb at Cleveland Clinic, examined Choo on Saturday in Cleveland. Choo took batting practice with the Indians on Friday in Arlington and returned to Cleveland Saturday.

He's scheduled to take batting practice at Class A Lake County in Eastlake on Sunday. If the thumb continues to respond well, Choo could start a rehab assignment in the minors this week.

Let's talk: Acta visited reliever Vinnie Pestano in the eighth inning Friday. Mike Napoli had just sent a screamer to deep center field that Ezequiel Carrera made a great diving catch on and Mitch Moreland had walked. Acta did all the talking and Pestano all the listening.

"I didn't like his body language between pitches," said Acta. "He looked like he was a victim out there. I wanted him to get his swagger back."

Message delivered. Pestano struck out the next two batters.

Final word: Albert Belle, former Indians' slugger, called to add his two cents on the Jimenez trade. He did not like it, saying Jimenez hasn't been the same pitcher since last year's All-Star break.

Belle's parting thought? "It's time to get off the Titanic."

On Twitter: @hoynsie

Fausto Carmona bobs and weaves through six innings, while Texas lefty C.J. Wilson is barely pressured.

View full sizeMike Fuentes, Associated PressC.J. Wilson of the Rangers combined with the Indians' Fausto Carmona to produce a scoreless deadlock through the early innings Saturday night in Arlington, Texas.

ARLINGTON, Texas -- The Indians and Rangers were scoreless after six innings Saturday night at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington.

It was 106 degrees at first pitch. That's the hottest it's ever been at the start of a Rangers game. It's been 100 degrees or higher for 36 straight days in the Metroplex.

The Indians managed only three hits off lefty C.J. Wilson through the six innings. Jason Kipnis reached on an infield single with one out in the first and hot-hitting Carlos Santana opened the second with a double. In the fifth, Lonnie Chisenhall singled to right to move Shelley Duncan to second with one out.

Duncan proceeded to third on Lou Marson's fielder's choice, but Michael Brantley struck out to end the inning.

Wilson shut down the Indians after Santana's 21st double. He retired Kosuke Fukudome,  Duncan and Chisenhall on fly balls to the outfield.

The Rangers squeezed Tribe starter Fausto Carmona much harder, but he allowed just three hits through the first six innings as well. Carmona hit Elvis Andrus in the batting helmet with a pitch. Andrus stayed in the game and moved to second when Josh Hamilton reached on Kipnis' error at second.

Carmona, with one out, retired Michael Young on a liner to right and Nelson Cruz on a grounder to third.

In the second, Mitch Moreland walked and Yorvit Torrealba doubled him to third with one out. Carmona popped up David Murphy and retired Kinsler on a grounder to short.

In the fourth, Torrealba hit his second straight double, this time with two out. Carmona struck out Murphy to end the inning.

On June 5 Wilson beat the Indians 2-0. He threw 7 2/3 innings, striking out seven and walking two.

Carmona came into the game with a 2-7 lifetime record against the Rangers. He lost to them on June 4, allowing four earned runs in 6 1/3 innings at Progressive Field.

Here are the Big Ten quarterback situations, with the expected starters ranked in order of how stable they are.

View full sizeAP photoMichigan State's Kirk Cousins had limited playing time as a freshman for the Spartans, but he's emerged as one of the conference's best quarterbacks.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Ohio State will open preseason camp Monday with one of the most unsettled quarterback situations in the Big Ten, with a four-way battle continuing between Joe Bauserman, Braxton Miller, Taylor Graham and Kenny Guiton. Many OSU fans expect Miller, a true freshman, to win the job, but that's not easy. Among the conference's starting QBs, only Michigan's Denard Robinson and Penn State's Rob Bolden saw any real time on the field in the first year on campus.

Overall, nine Big Ten teams have quarterbacks with some starting experience, with a combined 146 career starts. The teams that don't are Ohio State, Minnesota and Indiana. Here are the Big Ten quarterback situations, with the expected starters ranked in order of how stable they are.

1. Northwestern

Dan Persa, Sr.

Career: 10 starts, 242 of 336 for 2,805 yards, 17 TD, 6 INT

As redshirt freshman: 0 starts, no passing attempts, played on special teams and was No. 3 QB.

2. Michigan State

Kirk Cousins, Sr.

Career: 25 starts, 456 of 709 for 5,815 yards, 41 TD, 20 INT

As redshirt freshman: 0 starts, 32 of 43 for 310 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT as backup quarterback.

3. Michigan

Denard Robinson, Jr.

Career: 13 starts, 196 of 322 for 2,758 yards, 20 TD, 15 INT

As true freshman: 1 start, 14 of 31 for 188 yards, 2 TD, 4 INT, served as backup and change-of-pace option.

4. Wisconsin

Russell Wilson, Sr.

Career: 36 starts, 682 for 1180 for 8,545 yards, 76 TD, 26 INT

As redshirt freshman: 11 starts, 150 of 275 for 1955 yards, 17 TD, 1 INT while winning ACC Rookie of the Year and being named All-ACC first-team quarterback at North Carolina State. Now in first year at Wisconsin after transfer.

5. Nebraska

Taylor Martinez, So.

Career: 12 starts, 116 of 196 for 1,631 yards, 10 TD, 7 INT

As redshirt freshman: Named Big 12 Offensive Newcomer of the Year in 2010.

6. Illinois

Nathan Scheelhaase, So.

Career: 13 starts, 155 of 264 for 1,825 yards, 17 TD, 8 INT

As redshirt freshman: Named Big Ten Freshman of the Week six times.

7. Purdue

Rob Henry, So.

Career: 7 starts, 86 of 162 for 996 yards, 8 TD, 7 INT

As redshirt freshman: Took over last season after injuries to Robert Marve. Boilermakers could go with two-QB system with two solid options.

Robert Marve, Sr.

Career: 15 starts, 183 of 312 for 1,805 yards, 12 TD, 17 INT

As redshirt freshman: 11 starts, 116 of 213 for 1,293 yards, 9 TD, 13 INT while at University of Miami in 2008

8. Iowa

James Vandenberg, Jr.

Career: 2 starts, 47 of 95 for 515 yards, 3 TD, 5 INT

As redshirt freshman: 2 starts, 42 of 87 for 470 yards, 2 TD, 5 INT, replaced injured Ricky Stanzi for two starts in 2009, including an overtime loss at Ohio State.

9. Minnesota

MarQueis Gray, Jr.

Career: 0 starts, 8 of 23 for 86 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT

As true freshman: Played as both a quarterback and receiver in 2009, then moved primarily to receiver last season, catching 42 passes as a sophomore and starting five games at that position. Will be a full-time QB and starter this season.

10. Penn State

Rob Bolden, So.

Career: 8 starts, 112 of 193 for 1,360 yards, 5 TD, 7 INT

As true freshman: Put up those numbers last season after becoming the first Penn State true freshman to begin the season as a starting quarterback in 100 years. Later gave way to Matt McGloin, and the two will battle in camp.

Matt McGloin, Jr.

Career: 5 starts, 118 of 215 for 1,548 yards, 14 TD, 9 INT

As redshirt freshman: Threw two passes in 2009 as a backup.

11. Ohio State

Braxton Miller, Fr.

Joe Bauserman, Sr.

Taylor Graham, Fr.

Kenny Guiton, So.

Careers: 0 starts, 27 of 52 for 325 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT combined, with those stats compiled by Bauserman in three seasons as a backup and Guiton in two passing attempts last season.

12. Indiana

Dusty Kiel, So.

Career: 0 starts, 4 of 17 for 71 yards, 0 TD, 2 INT

As redshirt freshman: Put up those numbers last season as a backup, now in wide-open competition with no experience on roster.

Edward Wright-Baker, So.

Career: 0 starts, 5 of 12 for 80 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT

As redshirt freshman: Compiled those stats last season as a backup.

Ohio State has one of the most inexperienced and uncertain quarterback situations in the Big Ten, with true freshman Braxton Miller as the potential solution.

View full sizeMarvin Fong, The Plain DealerFreshman Braxton Miller was an acclaimed recruit for the Buckeyes, but freshman quarterbacks bring plenty of liabilities, as OSU fans surely remember.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Braxton Miller moved into the Ohio State team hotel Saturday with the rest of the OSU freshmen. Most OSU fans are hoping ... or assuming ... or praying ... that Miller's next step is to move into the starting quarterback's job.

When the Buckeyes open preseason camp Monday, the QB competition will continue among Miller, senior Joe Bauserman, sophomore Kenny Guiton and redshirt freshman Taylor Graham. But under new head coach Luke Fickell, who didn't watch the QBs much during spring practice while he was just the linebackers coach, the competition is really beginning again.

Beyond the spring films Fickell has studied, there's not much to go on. Nine of the 12 Big Ten teams have quarterbacks with at least some starting experience, combining for 146 starts and 29,603 yards. But Ohio State's quartet doesn't have a start and has thrown for a combined 325 yards.

Finding an answer in the absence of departed three-year starter Terrelle Pryor won't be easy, but it's the most urgent item on Fickell's checklist. Pryor leaving the Buckeyes in June changed everything, the battle moving from finding someone to fill in during Pryor's five-game suspension to finding the offensive leader for an entire season.

"It's a lot more pressure right now, but I'm going to pick the speed up," Miller said this week. "It's coming a lot faster than it was six months ago, but I'm taking it day by day."

Miller has the highest ceiling among the options, ranked as the No. 1 dual-threat quarterback and No. 34 overall player in his recruiting class by Rivals.com. But learning from the bench is the more common path for young quarterbacks. Michigan State senior Kirk Cousins, with 25 career starts, advises sitting for as long as possible, but Ohio State may not have that option.

"Too many people want everything right now and they think they need to play right away," Cousins said. "The simple truth is that quarterbacks who are able to wait and are able to grow and learn without being thrown into the fire a lot of times end of having much more successful careers.

"Many quarterbacks want to be thrown in right away and that's fine, but they've got to understand that's going to come with some difficult times."

A year ago, only five of the top 100 quarterbacks in major college football, when ranked by passing yards, were true freshmen. They were the quarterbacks at Rutgers, BYU, Memphis, Central Florida and Colorado State. Combined those schools went 26-37, though UCF was 11-3 and won Conference USA.

If Miller does win the job, in the next month or at some point later in the season, his life will be a little different in the Big Ten.

"You really improve by playing, but a lot of time it's not going to happen as a freshman in big-time college football," said Northwestern senior Dan Persa.

The veteran quarterbacks in the conference do agree that any freshman will learn faster by getting in there. Taking reps in practice may be the optimal learning tool, but game action speeds up the learning curve.

View full sizeMarvin Fong, The Plain DealerJoe Bauserman was viewed as nothing much more than a backup for Terrelle Pryor, but he now has a chance to provide senior leadership for the Buckeyes offense -- with or without much of a track record to go on.

"You've got to be a sponge," said Michigan junior Denard Robinson, who played some as a change-of-pace option as a true freshman in 2009. "If you're smart and you've got what it takes to win the job, you can do it. You can do it."

"If you're at a place that's playing a true freshman, it's a lot easier when you have a running game and defense," Cousins said. "If you're at a place that's not going to run the ball successfully or not going to stop people, there's a lot more put on you."

When Pryor started as a true freshman in 2008, the Buckeyes had that running game and that defense, and the Buckeyes were 8-2 with Pryor as the primary quarterback. Ohio State seems to have that running game again this year, and the defense certainly has potential.

No matter who the quarterback is, Fickell isn't likely to ask too much. Miller, for instance, said during player-run practices this summer that he'd focus on just two passing plays at a time, attempting to get them down. Despite the advantage he gained by enrolling in January and going through spring practice, with Pryor as his tutor, he's nowhere close to comprehending the entire offense.

"I'm got most of the running plays down pat," Miller said. "The passing plays I get confused sometimes on the routes because there's a lot of them. ... It'll probably take years to get everything down pat."

The 2011 Buckeyes don't have years. They have four quarterbacks who have barely seen the field and a talented freshmen who may be their best hope.

If the adage "no pain, no gain" is true, then look for the future of driver Simona De Silvestro to be blazingly bright.

View full sizeAP fileA fiery crash during Indy 500 testing left severe burns on the hands of driver Simona De Silvestro, but the Swiss driver isn't about to slow down. "At the end of the day, I just want to be in a race car," she said. "That's the most important thing."

LEXINGTON, Ohio -- If the adage "no pain, no gain" is true, then look for the future of driver Simona De Silvestro to be blazingly bright. The 2010 IndyCar rookie of the year posted her career-best effort at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course last season, and delivered a credible qualifying effort Saturday to place 14th on the grid for Sunday's 3 p.m. Honda Indy 200.

But she didn't challenge pole-sitter Scott Dixon, who posted a hot lap of 119.405 mph. He will start beside Ryan Briscoe, who delivered a lap of 118.954 mph. The point earned for winning the pole moved third-place Dixon within 105 of points leader Dario Franchitti (388), who qualified third.

As for De Silvestro, she has certainly earned her nickname, "The Iron Maiden" for her toughness during her brief IndyCar career. In less than two seasons she has crashed three times on oval circuits, only once due to her own miscue, and caught fire twice in a sport where fire injuries have been few and far between in the modern era, thanks to safety advances.

The second of the three crashes, during practice this year for the Indianapolis 500, had De Silvestro contemplating leaving the sport. The suspension on her car malfunctioned, sending her into the wall. Her car caught fire and she suffered burns to her hands. While her hands are expected to heal completely, more than two months later they remain protected.

The incident left De Silvestro shaken.

"What happened to me was pretty scary," she said. "It's in your head. It just makes you realize different things. This is pretty dangerous. Before that crash, I was like, whatever."

After crashing and burning, her feeling of invincibility has been replaced by the knowledge of how close danger and death are each time she gets into an open-wheel car. She reflected, reassessed and decided to stick with auto racing.

"At the end of the day, I just want to be in a race car," she said. "That's the most important thing."

Then, within weeks of the crash at Indianapolis, De Silvestro hit the wall again during practice at Milwaukee.

"It was tough," the native of Switzerland said. "Milwaukee was really painful. A driver's mistake on an oval, those things can bite you pretty hard. Those things you kind of remember. When two things like that happen in a few weeks, it's pretty tough. You think you have gotten over the first one and then it happens again. But I think that is behind us now."

Since Milwaukee, the IndyCar schedule has consisted mostly of road courses. That's her comfort zone. She had a 10th-place finish in Toronto, and was running strong at Edmonton before mechanical issues forced her to park the car. Her qualifying effort of 14th Saturday, with a hot lap of 117.297 mph, was her second-best of the season.

"Especially on the road courses, I think we're OK," De Silvestro said. "When we go back to the ovals it may be a bit more difficult, but right now we have to think positive and get as many good results as we can on the road courses then get our confidence back on the ovals. Any road course we've been OK. Last year, here, is when things were really starting to come together. We qualified high and had a real strong race. We have no doubts about ourself here."

The real test is the upcoming oval races at New Hampshire, Kentucky and Las Vegas to close out the season.

"Right now the focus is on being quick out there, and really getting the confidence back 100 percent," she said.

Pole reflections: Dixon's pole was the first for him since 2009 at Motegi -- that's a span of 29 races covering almost two full seasons.

"Dixon just blew us away," said Briscoe. "He really laid one down."

Said Dixon: "It's been a long time. I think our car had a bit better balance (over the others). My car, turn one and turn 11 was where we are gaining on the others."

Double trouble: Drivers will not get the official word on where the race re-starts will be until the drivers' meeting this morning. In the past, with a traditional double-file start, the race has seen the green flag drop on Mid-Ohio's long back straight. But the re-starts have been single-file at the traditional start-finish line in front of the grandstands.

This year IndyCar has gone to double-file restarts at all races, so there is a question of tight quarters on the pit straightaway coming out of the last turn, and going into the first. Driver Graham Rahal, who qualified sixth, had one opinion about the re-starts.

"I think the back straightaway, for the fans, puts on a better show. It's a slightly banked corner and there is some grip."

Defending Mid-Ohio winner Dario Franchitti agreed. "If the track is clean we can go through there side-by-side," he said.

That hurt: A Justin Wilson single car mishap in the morning practice session led to Simon Pagenaud qualifying the car while Wilson went to Mansfield MedCentral for evaluation. Wilson, who drives for the Dreyer & Reinbold team co-owned by Lakewood's Robbie Buhl, suffered anterior compression of the fifth thoracic vertebra. He was held overnight and will be transported to Indianapolis Sunday.

ALMS: Lucas Luhr of Monaco and Klaus Graf of Germany combined to win the American Le Mans Series race Saturday afternoon at Mid-Ohio. Graf and Luhr teamed up to drive their Aston Martin Lola B08 to a comfortable victory over Guy Smith and Chris Dyson, who drove a Lola B09 86Mazda.

By Rick Gano Ap South Bend, Ind. -- Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly was pleased with what he saw from quarterback Dayne Crist as the Irish worked their way through a rainy and humid first practice Saturday. Coming off two knee surgeries in as many seasons, Crist was sharp and much improved from spring football in March and April....

By Rick Gano Ap

South Bend, Ind. -- Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly was pleased with what he saw from quarterback Dayne Crist as the Irish worked their way through a rainy and humid first practice Saturday.

Coming off two knee surgeries in as many seasons, Crist was sharp and much improved from spring football in March and April. Now the question: Can the senior win his job back and lead the Irish to a BCS bowl -- Kelly's stated goal in his second season?

Crist is competing with Tommy Rees, the starter and winner in Notre Dame's final four games last year. He got the job after Crist's season was ended by a ruptured patella tendon in his left knee on Oct. 30. Andrew Hendrix and freshman Everett Golson are also in the quarterback derby.

"After having two knee surgeries sometimes you get a little protective of your lower body and you slow down your footwork. ... feeling your way through it. I didn't sense that at all," Kelly said, describing Crist's first day.

Rather Crist was very aggressive with the way he moved and threw tight spirals. "It wasn't what I saw in the spring. I thought he was tentative at times in the spring," Kelly added. "I was very happy."

Crist can take off from the pocket if needed, but he's not the mobile runner some spread offenses can be built around. And Kelly said earlier that's OK. He just needs to be able to get away from defenses and keep the play going.

Crist, at 6-foot-4, 235 pounds, completed 59 percent of his passes last season with 15 TDs and seven interceptions. Rees completed 61 percent in 130 fewer attempts and threw for 12 TDs with eight interceptions. He took over when Crist was injured against Tulsa and then started the next four games which saw the Irish beat Utah, Army, Southern California and then Miami in the Sun Bowl to wrap up an 8-5 season.

Crist took the first reps with the first team Saturday before Rees led the first unit on the same series.

Kelly would like his starter to be in place after 19 practices, which would fall around the third week of August. That way the Irish will have ample time to prepare for the Sept. 3 opener against South Florida knowing who will be running the offense.

Crist, who had a torn ACL in his right knee in 2009 when he was a backup, said he's fully recovered from his second knee surgery.

"I got my speed back," he said.

He characterized his relationship with all the quarterbacks as friendly on and off the field.

"We understand it's a competition, but at the same time we're doing things to make each other better," he said.

And he said he hasn't been told directly how the whole quarterback derby will shake out.

"We really haven't had a discussion at this point. We understand how the reps are split. ... It's really just going out there and controlling what you can do and really not letting the outside things affect you," Crist said.

Rees was an early enrollee freshman a year ago -- just like Golson this year -- and all of a sudden at 18 years old, he was the starting quarterback at Notre Dame. It's a job he wants to keep. He says the competition appears to be even at this early stage.

"Obviously I want to be the starter," Rees said. "I'm going to do everything I can to put myself in the right position. If I work hard, be a leader out there and make the right decisions with the ball, I'll let the rest take care of itself. ...

"As far as Dayne and I, I know we're going head-to-head. We're splitting reps out there."

Hendrix, who didn't play last year as a freshman but spent most of his time on the scout team, comes from the rich tradition of Moeller High in Cincinnati. Golson passed for 11,634 yards and 151 TDs in his prep career at Myrtle Beach., S.C.

He's electrifying enough that Kelly said Saturday he might be a candidate to return kicks this season for the Irish.

By Tom Canavan Ap East Rutherford, N.J. (Ap) -- George Brennan isn't likely to forget Hambletonian Day 2011. Not only did Brennan have masterful drive in posting his first victory in the $1.5 million Hambletonian with Broad Bahn on Saturday at the Meadowlands Racetrack, the 44-year-old posted the win rougly 35 minutes after guiding Bold and Fresh to an...

By Tom Canavan Ap

East Rutherford, N.J. (Ap) -- George Brennan isn't likely to forget Hambletonian Day 2011.

Not only did Brennan have masterful drive in posting his first victory in the $1.5 million Hambletonian with Broad Bahn on Saturday at the Meadowlands Racetrack, the 44-year-old posted the win rougly 35 minutes after guiding Bold and Fresh to an upset in the $750,000 Hambletonian Oaks.

"I'm at a loss for words," Brennan said after also giving Noel Daley his first training win in the Hambletonian. "This is great."

It marked only the second time that a driver won both major trotting races for 3-year-olds on the same day, coming two years after Brian Sears won the Oaks with Broadway Schooner and the Hambletonian with Muscle Hill.

"This is a monumental day for me," Brennan said. "I just remember when Sears did it a few years ago and remember what a day it was for him."

Broad Bahn, who won an elimination for the Hambletonian last week, trotted the mile in 1:53.

Brennan got the colt to the lead early as planned and then slowed things down, taking the field of 10 through the opening half mile in an easy 56 seconds on a day when speed was not holding up at the Meadowlands.

"When I saw the 56, I said 'Thank God,'" Daley said, knowing his big colt would have plenty in the tank to hold off his main challenger -- favored Manofmanymissions and driver Andy Miller.

Manofmanymissions made his move around the far turn and into the stretch, but the race was all but decided when Manofmanymissions went off stride and finished eighth in the 10-horse field.

"When I asked him to go a little, I felt him get unsteady and he got tired," Miller said.

The break allowed Broad Bahn to cross the finish line 31/4 lengths ahead of long shot Whiskey Tax.

Opening Night, who was looking to give driver John Campbell a seventh Hambletonian win, was another two lengths back in third.

"We had a great trip, but he got a little unsteady around the turn so I lost some ground," Campbell said. "Once he hit the stretch he was able to pick it up a little bit."

Chapter Seven, trained by cancer survivor Linda Toscano, was fourth. Toscano was trying to become the first female trainer to win trotting's most prestigious race.

Board Bahn paid $14.60, $7 and $5.60 in winning for the fourth time in eight starts this year.

Whiskey Tax paid $26 and $11.60, while Opening Night showed at $6.40.

The victory in the Hambletonian capped a remarkable comeback for Broad Bahn, who was looking like the favorite for the Breeders Crown last year when he broke his leg.

The injury allowed Manofmanymissions to get into the Breeders Crown and that colt won the race and ignited his career. Broad Bahn didn't get back to racing until late May and the son of Broadway Hall put an exclamation point on his return on Saturday.

"This is a dream come true, everything worked out perfect for us," said Daley, an Australian now working in the States. "We've had a dream run all year with him and that's what it takes to win one of these."

The race went just as Brennan and Daley hoped after they selected the No. 1 post position in Tuesday's draw.

The horses came to the gate and Brennan, who is nicknamed the "Minister of Speed," gunned Broad Bahn to the lead, taking the field through the opening quarter in 27.1 seconds. The second quarter was trotted in a more leisurely 28 4-5 and that was the difference.

In the $750,000 Hambletonian Oaks for 3-year-old trotting fillies, Brennan moved Bold and Fresh to the lead in the stretch, past the highly regarded Crys Dream and Jezzy and scored a half-length victory over fellow long shot Lady Rainbow. Crys Dream finished third.

"I didn't know how susceptible Crys Dream would have been, but I know how good my filly felt," Brennan said.

Brennan kept the Doug Miller-trained filly going to the wire when it seemed as if she wanted to break stride. The pair covered the mile in 1:53 1-5. The daughter of SJ's Cavier returned $51.40, $21.80 and $6.60 in winning for the fifth time in nine starts this year.

On the Hambletonian undercard:

Weingartner, who only got into the race after a horse was scratched Wednesday, captured the $400,000 Peter Haughton Memorial for 2-year-old colts and geldings. The Johnny Takter-driven long shot trotted the mile in 1:55 2-5, cruising to a 31/2 length victory and paying $58.60 to win.

San Pail ($6) made a rare trip out of Canada and captured the $300,000 Nat Ray Invitational. The Randy Waples-driver 7-year-old trotted the mile in 1:50 4-5 in winning for the ninth times in 11 starts this year.

Check Me Out ($2.40) set a stakes and track record for 2-year-old fillies in trotting the mile in 1:54 2-5 in winning the $333,200 Merrie Annabelle final by six lengths.

AP-WF-08-06-11 2219GMT

Someday the lockout will end. Until then, we have plenty of questions from interested Cavaliers fans.

View full sizeJohn Kuntz, The Plain DealerAnderson Varejao would figure to be a valuable item in a potential trade with NBA teams coveting his defense, rebounding and hustle. But would the Cavaliers really deal their fan favorite?

Hey, Mary: There have been many rumors that the Lakers are interested in Ramon Sessions and Anderson Varejao, especially because of how much Mike Brown loved Andy's defense. Is there any chance there could be a trade there? -- Anthony, Old Brooklyn

Hey, Anthony: I don't know about Sessions, but Mike Brown isn't the only coach who loved Varejao's defense. I'm betting the Cavs get more calls about Varejao than any other player. But I'm also quite sure they Cavs do not want to trade him.

Hey, Mary: If the lockout extends through the entire NBA season, how will the 2012 draft pan out? Will Cleveland still have a high lottery draft pick? -- James Hewitt, Irvine, Calif.

Hey, James: I have asked the NBA this question several times and the answer is always the same -- they don't know yet. According to NHL spokesman Gary Meagher, this is how the NHL conducted its draft after losing the 2004-05 season to a lockout, and I suspect the NBA would do something similar to this:

"Every team had a chance at the No. 1 pick," Meagher wrote in an email. "The draft drawing, a weighted lottery system, was used to determine the order of selection for all seven rounds of the entry draft. Under the weighted lottery system, the clubs that neither qualified for the Stanley Cup playoffs in each of the 2001-02, 2002-03 and 2003-04 seasons, nor were awarded the first overall selection in each of the 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004 entry drafts, had the greatest chance of receiving the first overall selection, 6.3 percent. These clubs were the Penguins, Buffalo Sabres, Columbus Blue Jackets and New York Rangers. Ten clubs met one of the seven criteria listed above and had a 4.2 percent chance of winning the drawing, while the remaining 16 clubs had a 2.1 percent chance."

Hey, Mary: Do you think the lockout will be over before the season starts? Who do you think will be the starting center next season, Semih Erden? -- Anthony Kimbrough, Cleveland

Hey, Anthony: I do not expect the NBA season to start on time. I'm not one who believes the entire season will be lost, but I seem to be in the minority there. If I had to guess today on the starting center, I'm going with Anderson Varejao.

Hey, Mary: Does the NBA realize that they won't be missed, even in Dallas, until after the Super Bowl? So many of these teams have football teams in their markets and fans are rabid now that the lockout has ended. What will it take to get NBA fans to be vocal enough to urge the sides to work toward a resolution? -- Mark Monroe, Martinez, Calif.

Hey, Mark: I don't think there's anything fans can do that will force a deal in the NBA lockout. There are complicated issues to settle, and they're about more than money.

-- Mary

The second-year righty enters Sunday's start 11-5 with a 4.16 ERA for the Tribe.

View full sizeCharles Krupa, Associated PressJosh Tomlin is almost certain to lead the Indians in batting average when the 2011 season comes to a close.

ARLINGTON, Texas -- The second-year righty enters Sunday's start 11-5 with a 4.16 ERA for the Tribe.

Q: Unless some unexpected happens, you're going to end the regular season hitting 1.000 (2-for-2). How does that feel?

A: It's kind of cool. You can sit on that all year knowing you don't have another at-bat coming up for a while. Hey, it was two lucky hits, but I'll take it.

Q: You hit .351 at Angelina J.C. in Lufkin, Texas after high school. How much did you hit and how much did you pitch?

A: All I pretty much did in high school and junior college was hit. We had two guys who were stud pitchers in high school [Whitehouse, Texas]. I played shortstop and come in a close a few games every now and then in high school and junior college. In junior college we played doubleheaders twice a week, a nine and seven-inning game. I'd come in and close.

At Texas Tech I played short, second and third a little bit. Then I got hurt and was out 12 weeks [strained ligament in right elbow]. I came back threw a couple of games and the Indians drafted me [2006, 19th round].

Q: You're from Whitehouse, Texas. What kind of town is it and how big is it?

A: It's a small town. I would say there's about 4,000 to 5,000. It's south of Dallas, about two hours south. It about two hours west of Shreveport, La. People go into Tyler [Texas] to work.

It's one of those little towns where everybody knows everybody. No shopping malls. Just a grocery store and a couple of mom-and-pop stores. I love the living there.

Q: What's your best pitch?

A: If I had to go to a pitch, bottom of the ninth, two out, I'd have to go with my cutter [cut fastball]. I'd throw it against a lefty or righty."

Q: Are you a big shot in Whitehouse?

A: I don't think so. Everybody who knows me knows I'm still the same person I was 10 years ago. More than anything, my buddies give me a harder time. Whenever we go anywhere they said, "You're buying."

Headlining the Class of 2011 inductees Saturday, Sanders was joined by Marshall Faulk, Shannon Sharpe and Richard Dent, as well as senior candidates Chris Hamburger and the late Les Richter. NFL Films creator Ed Sabol was also inducted as a contributor.

View full sizeRon Schwane, Associated PressAgainst an appropriately bigger-than-life backdrop, Deion Sanders remembered the motivation of his family as he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame Saturday night at Canton's Fawcett Stadium.

CANTON, Ohio -- From the first time he touched the ball as a pro, all eyes were on Deion Sanders. Sixty-eight yards through the middle and down the sideline for a touchdown on his first punt return, "Neon Deion" took the NFL by storm.

The athleticism, the high-stepping, the flamboyancy were all on display. The league hadn't ever seen anything quite like the player and persona known as Prime Time.

"Few players could ever do the things Deion did on the field," Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said Saturday. "He was truly a one of a kind player."

Sanders legacy as one of the most elusive cornerbacks and kick returners in league history is now immortalized in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Headlining the Class of 2011 inductees Saturday, Sanders was joined by Marshall Faulk, Shannon Sharpe and Richard Dent, as well as senior candidates Chris Hamburger and the late Les Richter. NFL Films creator Ed Sabol was also inducted as a contributor.

During his induction speech, in front of a crowd of 13,300, those in attendance saw a different Sanders. Gone was the arrogance. Gone was the cockiness. Instead, Sanders humbly and emotionally talked about how his alter ego was created and how he always felt he needed to prove himself.

Sanders talked about how, growing up, he witnessed first-hand the struggles his mother went through. As a player, and through his charismatic nature, he wanted to create an image that said was about rising above that poverty and, ultimately, proving a better life for his mother and his future family.

• Videos of the induction speeches

"I would pre-rehearse the quotes, I would pre-rehearse the sayings because I knew I had the substance," Sander said. "All the things you thought I was, and all the things I didn't like, I was doing it for my momma."

That served as his drive to constantly improve his game, something teammates made a point of mentioning Saturday. As the Prime Time persona emerged, he embraced it because he said it transcended being a great football player. Once it took on a life of its own, it rubbed some people the wrong way.

"Initially, he had the reputation for being a little too cocky and a little too flamboyant," said Sanders' friend and agent, Eugene Parker, who presented him into the Hall. "Deion had an insatiable drive to be the best. It wasn't just show, he has than enthusiasm and charisma about playing the game of football."

View full sizeTony Dejak, Associated PressFrom left, Marshall Faulk, Chris Hanburger, Richard Dent, Shannon Sharpe, Jon Richter (representing his father, Les) and Deion Sanders stand with their busts during the induction ceremony at the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday in Canton.

At Fawcett Stadium, just outside the Hall of Fame, Sabol was the first of the class to be inducted. Credited with being one of the league's greatest innovators by creating NFL Films, Sabol made his way to the stage to be honored just a month shy of his 95th birthday.

Dent, the Super Bowl XX MVP and quiet leader of the Chicago Bears fabled '85 defense was next. Hanburger, an All-Pro linebacker who played 14 seasons with the Redskins, and Sharpe, who compiled more touchdowns (62) than any other tight end in league history, followed.

"I'm the only one in the Hall of Fame who can say that they were the second-best player in their own family," said Sharpe, who was presented by his older brother, Sterling, a former Pro Bowl receiver for the Green Bay Packers whose career was cut short by injuries.

Next was Faulk, the NFL MVP in 2000 and one of the top receiving running backs in league history, and then Richter, a rugged, old school linebacker and placekicker for the Los Angeles Rams in the 1950s and early 60s, who was presented posthumously.

The Hall of Fame saved Sanders for last. For many of the fans in attendance, the player once known by the alter ego, "Prime Time," was the main attraction.

"Nobody had speed like Deion," Jones said. "He had very impressive awareness and he knew how to use it. And athletically, he was a good as anyone who ever played for me. I'm talking real freakish abilities."

Dozens in attendance sported replicas of Sanders' number 21 Dallas Cowboys jersey. Others wore look-alikes of the jerseys he wore while playing in Atlanta, San Francisco, Washington and Baltimore. Some even wore a bandana, a look Sanders popularized in the 1990s.

When it came time to conclude his speech, there was just one thing left for Sanders to do. He pulled out a bandana and placed it on the bronze head of his likeness.

"I've been waiting to do this a long, long time," Sanders said.

As Ohio State prepares for a meeting with the NCAA infractions committee, the school delivers its own slap on the wristband, Bud Shaw writes in his Sunday Spin.

View full sizeMarvin Fong, The Plain Dealer Luke Fickell may be the Buckeyes' head coach, but Ohio State football still can't seem to move past Jim Tressel --- one way or the other.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- OSU is moving on, with strings attached...

Good move by the Ohio State administration to take away the "JT" wristbands modeled by some freshmen football players, who purchased them from an unnamed staff member. That hawk-eyed vigilance on OSU's part downgraded another tremendously embarrassing situation to just really embarrassing.

As timing goes, Ohio State players honoring Jim Tressel in the same month the school appears before the NCAA might seem like poking a sleeping bear with a stick. That's only one of the issues, though.

The fact a staff member -- and not, say, a tattoo parlor offering permanent "JT" wristbands -- was behind the idea to "honor" Tressel in such a manner is truly remarkable. Ohio State's administration pinned everything on Tressel -- I mean "traced" everything to Tressel -- believing his removal from the program was the only way to move beyond the scandal.

There's no way to control high school coaches who want to dress in sweater vests and wear ties, though you'd think it would suffice if those coaches simply drafted a letter of appreciation and sent it to Tressel -- BFFs forever.

But a member of the OSU staff? It's either a thumb in the eye to school president Gordon Gee and Athletic Director Gene Smith or the definition of what it means to be oblivious.

Interim head coach Luke Fickell has a year to show he's in charge around Columbus (why does Alexander Haig come to mind?) but this supposedly happened behind his back. According to a school spokesman, Fickell was unaware of the wristbands. All Fickell talks about publicly is moving on. Apparently he needs to deliver that message in staff meetings.

When you're a Ryan, you're a Ryan all the way...

Cowboys' defensive coordinator Rob Ryan recently vowed to "whip the [butt]" of "the all-hype team," a clear reference to the division rival Philadelphia Eagles.

"You can't talk noise if you don't have the players to back it up," Ryan said to the NFL Network. "We always walk the walk. Anybody that knows a Ryan knows they walk the walk."

Given the chance, the former Browns' defensive coordinator, who made Eric Mangini out to be Vince Lombardi, would predict a Washington Generals romp over the Globetrotters.

No fact. Just brag.

View full sizeAndy Blenkush, Associated PressWith ardent supporters like LeBron James, does Tim Tebow need any real enemies?

Which part of the analyst/commentator job title doesn't he understand...

LeBron James was upset with Merrill Hoge's opinion on Denver Broncos' quarterback Tim Tebow. You didn't read that wrong. LeBron James.

"Listened to Merril Hoge today on [SportsCenter] and he was just blasting Tebow. The man hasn't even play a full season and its only his 2nd year in. Guys get on that TV and act like they was all WORLD when they played. How bout encouraging him and wishing him the best instead of hating!!"

Hoge is paid to express his opinion. Sometimes those are glowing. Sometimes they are harsh. He's not paid to be a self-esteem coach. He happens to think Tebow is lacking in several areas, not just because Tebow has the longest windup since "Return of the King."

I mean that in the best way possible.

SPINOFFS

In one night, we saw the Full Ubaldo. Ubaldo Jimenez comes equipped with unhittable pitches as advertised, but apparently that's partly because he throws so many of them out of the strike zone.

Give him the benefit of the doubt, though. He was pitching after almost a week off. He'd only thrown an inning in the previous 10 days. It better be that and not the pressure, because the Indians need him to dominate if they're ever going to see first place again this season...

Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Jason Babin said, "I feel like we are the Miami Heat of the NFL. Except we win the final game..." Calling yourself a dream team before you've won the first game, let alone the last, is only a good idea if you have Charles Barkley's elbows, Michael Jordan, and Angola is in your Olympic draw...

Former Cavaliers player Darius Miles tried to take a loaded gun through airport security in St. Louis. It continued a bad run for him. He was arrested in 2009 after police found a small amount of marijuana in his car. The best indicator of how things have gone for Miles since he was the No. 3 overall pick in 2000 draft: It was a 1996 Chevy Impala...

Ben Roethlisberger and approximately 12 of his teammates went to Heinz Field Saturday to answer a casting call for extras in a new Batman movie, "The Dark Knight Rises." You would've thought James Harrison would jump at the chance to criticize Commissioner Gordon but he was not scheduled to participate...

HE SAID IT

"You think you're friends with a guy. ... I haven't talked to [Tiger Woods] in two years and I'm wondering what the hell is going on." -- Charles Barkley.

Would you believe Tiger is otherwise occupied at Buddhist retreats?

View full sizeAP photoWith a sweet swing, he's not far from a major triumph.

HE SAID WHAT?

"The way things were going [in Washington], I almost lost faith in myself, in my ability to play. The environment was so negative. It was just such a down place." -- Albert Haynesworth to the Patriots' media.

When you sign a $100 million contract and then dog it, you shouldn't lose faith in yourself. You should marvel at your chutzpah.

SEPARATED AT BIRTH

Golfer Jason Day and pitcher Josh Beckett -- Bart

OSU coach Luke Fickell and actor/comedian Rob Riggle -- James Burrows

View full sizeAP photoHitters with sweet swings are foiled by this guy, who has a major victory ... and a World Series ring.

YOU SAID IT

(The Expanded Sunday Edition)

"Bud:

"While he waits for the supplemental draft, could the Football Hall of Fame use Terrelle Pryor as a memorabilia guard?" -- Michael Sarro

That would be like hiring me as a dietitian.

"Hey Bud:

"Tuesday evening, Ezequiel Carrera hit a double and completed a pop-up slide followed by a simultaneous salute to the Lord and request for a time out. When scribes in the press box do something noteworthy do they hit the deck, praise the Lord and head for the restroom?" -- Dr. Grinder

I'll let you know.

"Bud:

How many times will you retire?" -- Tom Hoffner, Broadview Heights

That somebody will notice?

"Bud:

Is Fukudome Japanese for 'too little too late'?" -- Chuck Levin

No, but Jimenez is Spanish for "you gave up what?"

"Voice of Reason:

"Did the Jets acquire Plaxico Burress because they felt they needed another weapon?" -- Dan Okress

First-time "You Said It" winners receive a T-shirt from the Mental Floss collection.

"Bud:

"Now that other teams are routinely putting out hits on the 'bullpen mafia,' how long will it be until the Indians are swimming with the Royals?" -- Ron

Repeat winners receive an offer they can't refuse.

"Bud:

"Do you think when his mom asked young Chris Antonetti to go to the store for bread and milk, he returned with ice cream and candy?" -- Vince G, Cincinnati

Repeat winners don't always get what they want either.

The mailbag is overflowing (of course), but Tony Grossi keeps providing answers to demanding Browns fans.

View full sizeJohn Kuntz, The Plain DealerWhile the Browns aren't spending a lot of their cap money on free agents, they will certainly be looking to extend the contracts of their most valuable veterans, including Pro Bowl tackle Joe Thomas.

Hey, Tony: Reports have the Browns at somewhere around $30 million under the new salary floor. Any word on how they are going to get to the minimum, since they aren't giving out any big-time contracts in free agency? Joe Thomas and some other key guys could use a big extension. -- Chris Wenning, Canton

Hey, Chris: There has been a lot of confusion about the so-called salary floor. The team-by-team minimum spending floor does not take effect until 2013. Over the 2011-12 seasons, the league as a whole has to spend 99 percent of the entire cap on player contracts. The spending must take place by the end of the seasons. That said, I would consider the following players potentially in line for contract extensions: Thomas, Peyton Hillis, Ahtyba Rubin, D'Qwell Jackson, Evan Moore and Colt McCoy.

Hey, Tony: Could you tell me why the Cleveland Browns are not practicing twice a day like they used to do? They have a new offense and a new defense they need the practice. The new CBA isn't totally ratified yet, so why not get the practice they need? -- Frederick Blosser, Sylvania, Ohio

Hey, Frederick: The league set the rules. The Browns can't violate them just because they're installing new systems.

Hey, Tony: Why the canceled practice in the very first week of camp? Did any other teams do this? -- Tom Bateman, Charlottesville, Va.

Hey, Tom: The practice wasn't canceled. The new CBA rules call for one off day per week in training camp. Pat Shurmur chooses which day to give the players off. Some NFL executives believe the training camp rules will be revised next year.

Hey, Tony: I will admit that I was a believer in Eric Mangini and his program. However, as a Browns fan first, I want what's best for the team and that chapter has been closed. I am not here to debate his tenure. While I was pleased that Mike Holmgren originally gave Mangini another season in 2010, it is apparent that the relationship was never going to work, and Holmgren knew it. I found it very interesting in your recent article concerning Jayme Mitchell, and how he was reassured by Browns management that changes were in the works. To me, if changes were inevitable, then Holmgren should have changed coaches as soon as he came in as team president after the 2009 season. I think that we would be much better off this year if we had a our transition year in 2010 and had our new systems in place. I feel that our program was put back at least another season, if not two because of the timing with the lockout. -- Scott MacKenna, Sarasota, Fla.

Hey, Scott: For the most part, I agree.

Hey, Tony: What's the deal with Coye Francies? I saw him a few preseasons ago and he appeared to be a hitter but that was under the Eric Mangini regime. Any chance he could make the roster and contribute? What's the scouting report on him? -- Mike Mucha, Marion, Va.

Hey, Mike: The Browns would like nothing better than for Francies to earn a roster spot and contribute. I'm not sure what the problem is, but he seemed more into the flow as a rookie than now.

Hey, Tony: I believe Tom Heckert said the team wants to invest in the Browns' existing young players instead of free agents. Sounds great. Shouldn't they lock up Joe Thomas for the rest of his career and front load his new contract with money from this year's salary cap since they have so much room? -- Scott, Brunswick

Hey, Scott: I'm sure Thomas appreciates your concern. I'm also sure it will be taken care of during the season. It's not an issue right now.

View full sizeJoshua Gunter, The Plain DealerThe loud minority of Steelers fans in Northeast Ohio baffles one long-range observer ... but only winning will change that situation.

Hey, Tony: I just visited Ohio to see the Browns' training camp, the Rock Hall, etc. I noticed a lot of cars with Ohio plates carrying Steelers stickers. Is it possible that because the Browns have been so awful for so long that some Browns fans have turned to the dark side? Makes me sick and I'm not even from Ohio. -- Ted Hebert, Longmeadow, Mass.

Hey, Ted: These things run in cycles. Some day the Browns will be on top and cars with Pennsylvania plates will sport Browns stickers.

Hey, Tony: First, who are the backup tackles behind Joe Thomas and Tony Pashos? Feels like we are thin in that area. Second, is Brian Robiskie showing anything in this camp? Third, have any of the undrafted rookies stood out in a good way? -- Matt Alsip, Towson, Md.

Hey, Matt: The top backup tackles are Branndon Braxton and Phil Trautwein. Braxton has opened some eyes early on. Robiskie, like the other receivers, has struggled a bit, I believe, with the intricacies of the new offense. He's not dropping balls, though. I wouldn't panic. The loss of the off-season would hurt any team transitioning to the West Coast offense. As for the undrafted rookies, receiver Chris Matthews passes the eyeball test. He's 6-5 and, wearing No. 17, strikes a close resemblance to Braylon Edwards -- at least lining up.

Hey, Tony: It's obvious that you are not a big fan of the Browns trading down in the NFL Draft. While I think Julio Jones will be a good player, don't you think if the Browns had drafted him he would have ended up being a very talented player on a very untalented team? Even if we did draft Jones, I don't think he adds or subtracts any more wins for the Browns then Phil Taylor because the team is so young and lacking talented depth. What do you think? -- Bo Mueller, North Ridgeville

Hey, Bo: How does an untalented team become talented? By drafting talented players. When you bypass talented players for the express purpose of collecting bodies to fill out roster spots, I don't see how that is making your team better. I have stated my objection to the trade in 2011. I am being consistent with my criticism of the trade-down in 2009. You cannot keep trading out of the top 10 of the draft and expect to get better by selecting centers and nose tackles. No disrespect to those positions. The sport is now a game of speed. The priority should be on playmakers, not space-eaters, in my opinion.

Hey, Tony: Now that the scale is in place and rookies won't be able to hold out too much, would you predict that there will be a lot of holdouts in the second or third year of a contract? For example, if Cam Newton has a great rookie year, do you think he could hold out next year to get something close to what Sam Bradford got last year? Secondly, on the way the wage scale is slotted -- the way that I understood it, each pick in the first round has a certain dollar amount attached. So for example, if a linebacker or defensive tackle had been the first pick instead of Newton, would they be slotted to ink the same deal that he got for his rookie contract? -- Brad Eckenfels, Austin, Texas

Hey, Brad: Holdouts in the second or third year of contracts are a potential hazard of the new rookie wage scale. They can be avoided by teams proactively redoing contracts for players clearly outperforming them. The slotted figures allotted for the first round do take into account the positions played by the drafted players.

Hey, Tony: Adam Schefter speculated that the Browns are not active in free agency because of all the money they are paying former coaches and GMs. Doesn't it have to be either that or Heckert, et al do not believe the team is close enough to warrant big bucks on a player or two just to fill holes? They are 35 million under the cap, after all. -- Toby Godfrey, Austin, Texas

Hey, Toby: Adam's point is certainly plausible. The dead money being paid former coaches and executives such as Phil Savage, Romeo Crennel, George Kokinis and Eric Mangini does not affect the salary cap, of course, but it may contribute to a cash crunch that has resulted in the current "don't spend" philosophy. I appreciate that Heckert is not a fan of free agency, but something is fishy about the team's approach this off-season.

Hey, Tony: I noticed Phil Taylor got a full four-year guarantee on his rookie contract. Is this a new development in contract negotiations due to the recent CBA or a change in philosophy by the front office? Are fully guaranteed deals good for the game or is the NFL headed for an NBA/MLB-type player motivation problem? -- Steve Cornelius, Avon Lake

Hey, Steve: One report indicated Taylor's fourth year is only partially guaranteed. Nevertheless, the league is moving indefatigably toward fully guaranteed contracts. That trend certainly is good for the players. I don't know if it's good for the game.

Hey, Tony: Any interest in Bills safety Donte Whitner? -- Gary Putz, Rochester, N.Y.

Hey, Gary: Whitner signed with San Francisco on Thursday. Prior to that, the Browns showed no interest in signing him.

Hey, Tony: Why haven't the Browns already picked up Ryan Donahue (P), Iowa? -- TL Davis, Bowling Green, Ky.

Hey, TL: Because they signed Richmond McGee, who had experience with GM Tom Heckert in Philadelphia and special teams coach Chris Tabor in Chicago.

Hey, Tony: The Browns have a few holes to fill and lack depth in most groups. Only two other teams have more cap space, yet they are not picking up the free agents they need. My question is this. Do you see any similarities between this year vs. the year before the Browns moved to Baltimore? -- Gary Wetherald, Peoria, Ill.

Hey, Gary: No. The owner of the team in 1995 was heading toward bankruptcy. The owner of the team in 2011 is a billionaire.

View full sizeLisa DeJong, The Plain DealerMike Holmgren is keeping a close watch on his investments ... but many Browns fans are wondering if the roster is being built on the cheap.

Hey, Tony: As you watch the Browns progress in this year's training camp, do you get a sense the combination of Mike Holmgren and Tom Heckert are putting together a more talented and athletic football team than what Browns fans have seen since coming back in '99? -- Greg Dineen, Middletown, Ohio

Hey, Greg: The 2002 Browns of Butch Davis made the playoffs. I'm waiting for another regime to at least match that feat.

Hey, Tony: I remember the Browns extended a second-round tender to Eric Wright. Now that he signed with Detroit, don't we get their second round pick in 2012? I'm not sure if that's correct with the new CBA. -- Karl Dietz, Pepper Pike

Hey, Karl: The Browns receive no compensation for losing Wright. The new CBA made Wright an unrestricted free agent and voided the second-round tender. Only restricted free agents bring compensation in return. Now, the Browns may be eligible for a compensatory pick in the 2012 draft, but that would be based on the net of free-agent losses vs. free-agent signings.

Hey, Tony: Did anyone verify that Brodrick Bunkley actually was in Cleveland and did not pass his physical? The whole situation, including Mary Kay Cabot's unnamed source, leaves me wondering. Heckert telling the media to ask Philly why he is not here! Very strange and looks like some assumptions rather than fact. -- Randy Russell, Pepper Pike

Hey, Randy: GMs have their own verbal agreements. In this case, Bunkley flunked his Cleveland physical, but Heckert agreed not to disclose that fact so as to protect Philadelphia's Plan B trade to Denver. The Broncos agreed to their trade without the stipulation that Bunkley pass a physical. My take on this incident is this: Always tell the truth. It shall set you free.

Hey, Tony: Earth to Browns: There's a FA frenzy going on and you have more needs than a pretzel factory! -- Michael Loeffler, Portland, Ore.

Hey, Michael: I didn't know pretzel factories had needs.

Hey, Tony: I just read online that the Bunkley deal was nixed because of medical concerns. I saw last night on the NFL channel that he refused to report to the Browns. What version is correct? -- Bill Tulino, Leesburg, Va.

Hey, Bill: Trust The Plain Dealer's report. The Browns had medical concerns with Bunkley.

Hey, Tony: Just wondering how Jim Donovan is doing. Living in Omaha, I don't get to see many games, so I listen to the games via the Internet. He's the voice of Sunday for me, so I wish him well and hope he can make it back to 100 percent soon! -- Gabe Knuth, Omaha, Neb.

Hey, Gabe: I've spoken to Jim on a few occasions since his bone marrow transplant surgery. Everything went well with the surgery and the donor match. He has experienced a few complications, which were not unexpected, but the overall prognosis for a full recovery is good. That doesn't mean he doesn't face some challenges, however. Jim has been very appreciative of the warm wishes extended to him during this time.

Hey, Tony: With some of the WR being held out of practice, has 6-5 Chris Matthews merited any attention from the coaching staff? -- Steve Landram, Saint Cloud, Fla.

Hey, Steve: His stature alone merits attention. I would say that nobody makes a team during the first two weeks of camp. The preseason games will separate the receivers.

Hey, Tony: Given the Browns' many needs, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that this year's free agency offered (having to spend money to get to the floor), and the front office constant bumbling since the end of the lockout (uninspired draft, free agency MIA, Bunkley trade joke, not being able to sign the 22nd pick in the draft with a rookie salary cap, etc), would you consider this off-season an unmitigated disaster or just another display of ineptitude? -- Stu Kambury, Dallas

Hey, Stu: Neither. First, the Bunkley trade was not a fiasco, merely the case of player flunking his physical and the other team (Philadelphia) jumping the gun on the transaction. All that said, it's been a bewildering time to be a Browns fan, to be sure.

Hey, Tony: Has Jason Trusnik been traded to Miami? -- Ken Wright, Strongsville

Hey, Ken: Trusnik was an unrestricted free agent and the Browns did not desire him back.

Hey, Tony: Why aren't the Browns interested in Brian Finneran, formerly of the Falcons? I know him personally and he is a great guy, has great hands, is a super special teams player and would love to catch passes from Colt McCoy in the West Coast offense (I asked him). He has a good three or four years left in him and I believe would be a good addition. -- Jeff Babka, Suwanee, Ga.

Hey, Jeff: Everyone seems to want a new receiver in here except the men making those decisions. Let's see how it plays out.

Hey, Tony: Mike Sando of ESPN reported that Lofa Tatupu has been released and Marcus Trufant might be next. Do you know if Mike Holmgren has talked to Tatupu? Also, do you know if they have talked to the Eagles about trading for Asante Samuel? -- Andrew DiNovo, Columbus, Ohio

Hey, Andrew: There's no apparent interest in Tatupu. The PD has reported for sure there is no interest in trading for Samuel.

Hey, Tony: Why have the Browns been so lame in free agency? -- David Jensen, Naples, Fla.

Hey, David: Their position is clear. Build through the draft. Use free agency sparingly.

Hey, Tony: Do you see the Browns going after a DL like Jamall Anderson or Tony Brown or a wideout like Malcolm Floyd or Johnny Lee Higgins? -- Nick Anderson, Sevierville, Tenn.

Hey, Nick: No, no, no and no.

Hey, Tony: There was talk that the Browns may try to sign a CB. Now that many of them are signed, the Browns fans in Huntsville hope that our hometown favorite, Ramzee Robinson, looks like a player that could fill the void. What do you think? -- Ben Faulds, Huntsville, Ala.

Hey, Ben: Since you sent your question, the Browns signed ex-Eagles CB Dimitri Patterson. Robinson is still on the roster competing for a spot.

Hey, Tony: Last spring you answered a question that the Browns' record should be better this year. Do you still feel the same way? It is obvious to me that H and H are positioning themselves for a top 5 draft position (and possibly the Andrew Luck sweepstakes) in 2012. Their lack of signing any quality free agents seems to confirm that. Your thoughts? -- Bill Reinke, Keene, Texas

Hey, Bill: I'm not prepared to give a prediction on number of wins yet. Believe me, I'll stick my neck out at the appropriate time. I really do not believe the Browns are "tanking" to position themselves for a better chance at Luck. I just think they have confidence in their player acquisitions and are going about methodically building their team the way they want.

Hey, Tony: With the Browns not being active at all in free agency, have they hit the required cap floor yet? -- Stan, Solon

Hey, Stan: The so-called salary floor has been misunderstood by us in the media and, thus, by our readers. The team-by-team floor does not take effect until 2013. Until then, the league as a whole has to spend up to 99 percent of the cap on player salaries. These complex computations take place during the season -- not at the start -- so that teams will be informed how much room is left and can be spent on reinvesting in veterans on the team.

Hey, Tony: Do my beloved Browns have a realistic shot at making to the playoffs? -- T.W. (Bill) Morrison, Presque Isle, Maine

Hey, T.W.: Define "realistic."

Hey, Tony: How satisfied are you with the Browns' FA work and do you see any moves you believe they will make? Given Braylon Edwards' court case and his history of drops, are you surprised the charges themselves weren't dropped? -- Jim Plunkett, Tamarac, Fla.

Hey, Jim: First, my question to you is what do you do with your Super Bowl rings? Seriously, I don't foresee any headline acquisitions coming through free agency. As for Braylon, it's good he is far away as possible from Cleveland, don't you think?

Hey, Tony: With the short preseason and no OTA, do you think we will see more of the starters in the preseason? -- Ralph Reis, Ft. Mitchell, Ky.

Hey, Ralph: Let's hope that is the case. Maybe the exhibition games will be a little more compelling that way.

Hey, Tony: I was looking at the roster on the Browns' Web site. They are listing Owen Marecic as a running back, not a fullback. Do you think that that is just a mistake on the part of the person inputting the information or, is there a chance the Browns will be fielding two Hillis-style backs this season? -- Chris Ramey, Toledo

Hey, Chris: No, Marecic is a fullback.

Hey, Tony: What day and time is Training Camp Daily going to be on this year? -- Ken Yablonosky, Uniontown, Pa.

Hey, Ken: When the Indians are playing, Training Camp Daily on STO follows the Indians post-game show. When the Indians are not playing, TCD is on at 10 p.m.

-- Tony

It might be called the West Coast offense, but in truth, the foundation was laid on the North Coast, in Cleveland under Paul Brown and then built upon by Bill Walsh in Cincinnati when he became Brown's top offensive assistant with the Bengals.

View full sizePlain Dealer staff

BEREA, Ohio -- Except for the fluky 2007 season, the Browns haven't had a top 10-ranked offense since Ronald Reagan was president.

Conservatism has been the preferred offensive philosophy through recent coaching regimes. Defensive-minded head coaches have conditioned us to accept the football bromide, "You've got to run the football to win, especially in this climate." How's that worked out?

When Browns President Mike Holmgren hired his first -- and he says last -- head coach, he followed two criteria. Young and offensive-minded. The fact that new coach Pat Shurmur is a coaching descendant of Holmgren and runs the same precise, pass-first, West Coast offense that took NFL teams to six Super Bowl championships in nine appearances was the clincher, of course.

But mention the phrase "West Coast offense" in cold, blue-collar Cleveland and you meet instant skepticism. That won't work here, not when the Lake Erie winds howl in December. This is a running town.

In truth, the foundation of the West Coast offense was laid in Cleveland under Paul Brown and then built upon by Bill Walsh in Cincinnati when he became Brown's top offensive assistant with the Bengals.

"The sanskrit, if you will, was Cleveland, 1948," said Brown's son, Mike, the president of the Cincinnati Bengals.

"If you listen to the real professionals in the game, it started in Cleveland," said Ron Wolf, former Green Bay Packers general manager.

Not only that, one of the men credited -- or blamed -- for coining the tag, West Coast offense, was none other than former Browns quarterback Bernie Kosar. Not only that, the coach who devised the blueprint for slowing down the West Coast offense is former Browns coach Bill Belichick.

And Holmgren, who proved as Green Bay coach in the 1990s that the West Coast offense could prosper in cold and windy weather, is now the top Browns executive.

Adding it all up, the question should not be: Can the West Coast offense work in Cleveland? A better question is: What took them so long to bring it back?

The West Coast principles

The oversimplification of the Walsh system is that it's a ball-control passing game that de-emphasizes the run. Think shorter pass routes and quicker throws, equivalent to extended handoffs.

"You want to strive for balance," said Holmgren, who learned under Walsh. "The indicator, as much as anything, was the fact there were a few more pass plays that you had in the game plan that would substitute normally where other teams might call runs. So you had a lot of passes in the 5- to 8-yard area, and you were OK with that, as opposed to handing the ball off and running."

There is built-in flexibility to adjust to your team's talent. That was the staple of Walsh's philosophy in Cincinnati and San Francisco.

Philadelphia's Andy Reid, whom Holmgren said follows Walsh's offense as closely as any coach now purporting to run it, said: "We led the league in long passing [last year]. Our deep game is pretty good. But, listen, everybody does it different. You've seen quarterbacks in that thing with howitzers -- Brett Favre, Donovan McNabb. Michael [Vick's] got a big gun. And you've seen the Joe Montanas."

As a player, Kosar favored a more downfield approach to the passing game. But he marveled at the "highly intricate" West Coast offense.

"The principles involve understanding defenses and really sound route-running," he said. "[Walsh] created holes in that 0- to 10-yard range. It really was beautiful. I mean, to run tight ends through and replace them and get a guy open five yards from the line of scrimmage with 10 yards of space, it's really beautiful to pull that off."

Brown admired Walsh's creativity in adapting his system to his players.

"Everybody now has a West Coast offense," he said. "I know what Bill did. It was distinctive. It was hugely successful and he deserves credit for it. He adapted to the talent he had. In my mind, the West Coast offense was the short passing game with option routes, catching the ball and immediately turning upfield and trying to split the defenders."

But it goes deeper than that. Walsh explained the principles in his book, "Finding the Winning Edge." Belichick considers the book a coach's Bible, the greatest piece of football literature ever authored. Belichick declined to be interviewed for this story.

Walsh wrote: "The West Coast offense is really more of a philosophy and a methodical approach to teaching than it is a set of plays or formations. While it certainly has come to mean a ball-control passing game based on timing, rhythm, and precision, it also describes an entire offensive structure from play schematics, preparation, installation, implementation, game planning, execution, and, perhaps most importantly, total attention to every detail."

Shurmur's definition of the system follows Walsh's comments closely.

"It's the way you practice," Shurmur said. "Not so much about no pads or beating guys up. It's about a quicker pace at practice, where you're up to game speed because the passing game is about timing, rhythm and execution. Thirty-two guys might give you 32 answers or different bullet points of what they think it is, but fundamentally it starts with what you tell the quarterback and execution."

The history of the West Coast

View full sizeAP fileWhen Bill Walsh ran with the offensive philosophies of his mentor, Paul Brown, in the late 1970s, his new attack determined that the ability to adjust to the quarterback's talents was a core of the system.

Paul Brown's Cleveland Browns offensive teams of the late 1940s and '50s were years ahead of their contemporaries. Brown's passing concepts were so advanced that his quarterback, Otto Graham, could stand free and wait for longer patterns to develop.

Brown's end product was the result of meticulous planning and preparation that created favorable matchups in his passing game. He took the same system to Cincinnati when he founded and coached the Bengals in the late 1960s. Walsh, first hired as the Bengals quarterback coach, then seized upon those principles and took the offense to another level.

"The numbering system that the old Cleveland Browns created and used and then adopted for the Bengals was the language of the West Coast offense," Mike Brown said. "What it was, was a system where you called the protections and the backfield flow by a number, and then you attached a tag to the number -- a verbal description -- to describe the patterns the receivers would run."

Early on, the Bengals emulated Paul Brown's vertical passing attack because they had a strong-armed quarterback named Greg Cook. But Cook's career was cut short by injury, forcing Walsh to adjust to journeyman thrower Virgil Carter in 1970.

"Virgil could not throw the ball far with great strength or accuracy, but he was very quick-thinking and he could throw short patterns effectively and he could move, so you could roll out and you could hit shorter patterns," Brown said. "And that was probably where Bill started with the short throws that became the hallmark of the West Coast offense.

"When Bill got to California, he first had Montana and they looked pretty much like what we would have looked like here. Although there were probably more short throws, it wasn't as significant as it became later with Steve Young. With Steve Young is when the West Coast offense really reached its climax. They could get rid of the ball so fast that you couldn't rush them effectively."

That ability to adjust to the quarterback's talents was a core of the system. It is why Holmgren's passing game was more vertical with Brett Favre in Green Bay than it was in Seattle with Matt Hasselbeck.

"You couldn't have the coach be so tied in to a system that you wouldn't let the [quarterback] flourish," Holmgren said. "Then you're making a mistake."

Naming the West Coast

There are two stories of how the West Coast offense got its name.

One is that when the NFC rival New York Giants finally conquered Walsh and the 49ers in the 1985 season NFC Championship, after two previous post-season losses, coach Bill Parcells sneered to reporters, "What do you think of that West Coast offense now?"

The name didn't stick, however, until a few years later when Kosar used it in a interview with a national football writer.

"Actually Mike [Holmgren] used to bust my chops about it," Kosar said. "It's an unfair simplification of a highly intricate offense. The knowledge it takes, the understanding of coverages, running guys through zones and replacing them with receivers and hitting them in full stride. When they're running it right, like Frisco in the late '80s, they made something very complex look like throwing against air, just pitch and catch."

Holmgren is not a fan of the offense's nickname. "That was the phrase that was coined after Bill kind of installed everything and the fact that it was a little bit different than the thump, crush, kill stuff," he said.

"I didn't resent it. I just thought that anybody that worked for Bill and then went on, or worked for me and went on, they kind of said they ran the West Coast offense. That wasn't altogether true because everybody put their own stamp on and things evolved. There were a couple of us that pretty much stuck with the 49ers plan, I guess, more than the others. Andy [Reid] stayed the closest to what we did."

Defending the West Coast

As Parcells' defensive coordinator with the Giants, Belichick had the task of creating gameplans to stop Joe Montana, Jerry Rice & Company in the mid-1980s. After losing in the playoffs in San Francisco's championship seasons of 1981 and '84, Belichick formulated a blueprint to slow down the offense.

By the time Belichick came to Cleveland as head coach, his plan was tried and true. On a Monday night early in the 1993 season, the Browns forced three interceptions and a fumble by Young and three dropped passes by Rice in a 23-13 upset win in Cleveland Stadium. Young would have his greatest year the following season, winning league MVP honors and taking the 49ers to their fifth championship.

"The key to defending that style offense is understanding the basic principles of it," said Carl Banks, who played linebacker for Belichick in New York and Cleveland. "Your defenders have to be good enough to disrupt timing. Basically, you've got to put speed bumps in the defense for the wide receivers in that offense. Most of the passing yards come after the catch.

"An effective West Coast offense doesn't give up a lot of sacks, so the mistake a lot of teams make -- you saw it against the Packers all year [in 2010] -- is teams were devising pass rush schemes before devising schemes to disrupt the timing.

"It's a waste of time to think you'll come off the edge and get a sack. It won't happen because the quarterback doesn't hold the ball long enough. If you can employ a combination of good, physical play on the outside of the defense and a good pass rush inside, then you have a shot.

"You have to have some sort of disruption at the line of scrimmage. Bill thought the best way to do that was to press and jam receivers with linebackers at the line and then have another defensive back they'd have to get through. When the quarterback's back foot hits the ground and there's nobody open, that's when the pass rush becomes effective."

Kosar said, "Bill understood what the offense was trying to do. The first guy decoying and trying to clear a zone out, knowing they're going to replace it with another guy. I can still hear Bill saying, 'If a guy runs through, they're going to replace him, so anticipate the next guy coming into that zone.'

"And he would beat them up at the line of scrimmage and then push that five-yard rule as far as you can and then beat them up at every aspect."

Restoring the West Coast in Cleveland

View full sizeJoshua Gunter, The Plain DealerThe ability to make quick decisions with an accurate throwing arm makes Colt McCoy an obvious choice for the West Coast offense -- an opinion shared by his coaches and opposing defenders.

Can the West Coast offense work on the North Coast?

Banks pointed out, "You can't run that offense effectively without good wide receivers."

The quality of the Browns receivers is an ongoing debate. But all the experts interviewed for this story had much less doubt about quarterback Colt McCoy, who has all of eight games NFL experience.

"It's probably a good offense for Colt McCoy," Banks said. "In that [AFC North] division, you don't want him holding the ball because it'll result in a lot of picks and he'll probably get knocked out of the game. So it's probably suited for him. Second-year quarterback with young, inexperienced receivers. So they predetermine their routes and get the ball out of the quarterback's hands and live with it."

Brown, who saw McCoy throw for 243 yards and two touchdowns in a 19-17 Bengals win in Cincinnati in December, said, "I like your young quarterback. I think he's got real promise -- quick-thinking, accurate, nimble-footed, quick-throwing. I think that he's a natural for this kind of thing."

Reid said, "McCoy will be very good at this. He's smart. It's timing, anticipation."

Holmgren believes the combination of McCoy and Shurmur is the right fit.

"I think some things about the offense have proven true over the years," he said. "One, while everyone would like the guy who is phenomenally physical, a la Brett Favre, who can throw the ball through the roof and all that stuff, to be successful in the offense, it's more accuracy and timing.

"So if you have a good quarterback and you can teach him the system and he's disciplined, I know it works. So Colt is those things and now we just have to see and allow him to play."

What about the Cleveland weather in December? It's no harsher than in Green Bay. The Packers ranked in the top 10 on offense in five of Holmgren's seven seasons there.

When Wolf hired Holmgren in 1992, he said he had no hesitation about bringing the West Coast offense to frigid Green Bay. He was sold when he saw Holmgren, then the 49ers offensive coordinator, roll up big numbers in San Francisco with fill-in quarterbacks Mike Moroski and Steve Bono.

So weather is not an issue. As Mike Brown pointed out, "We did it here before they did it in California."

It just didn't have a catchy nickname.

On Twitter: @TonyGrossi

Follow updates from The Plain Dealer on Twitter of Tiger Woods' final round and the leaders at Firestone.

Akron, Ohio -- Tiger Woods begins the final round of his first tournament in 11 weeks at 11 a.m. 

Woods begins the day 13 strokes behind the leader at 1-over par after shooting a 72 on Saturday. Adam Scott is atop the leaderboard with 3 golfers a stroke behind. Scott along with 19-year old Ryo Ishikawa tee off at 2 p.m.

WGC-Bridgestone Invitational coverage:

• Check the latest leaderboard

• Photo galleries from Firestone Country Club

• WGC-Bridgestone Invitational: What you need to know | More coverage »

Bates, 31, won the Olympic distance at the North Coast Harbor course -- a 1.5-kilometer swim followed by a 24-mile bike and ending in a 10-kilometer run -- despite feeling ill. It was his first title after finishing second three times in six previous tries, including last year.

About 400 of the event's racers helped raise a record $185,000 through Sunday to fight cerebral palsy, $10,000 ahead of last year's race.

View full sizeLynn Ischay, The Plain DealerMarley Rickly 4, of Team Marley heads for the finish line with help from her mom, Briana (left), and grandma, Jan, during Sunday's Cleveland Triathlon. About 400 of the event's racers participated as part of nearly 20 United Cerebral Palsy family teams.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The crowd had thinned late in the Cleveland Triathlon as awards were being given and a last few stragglers crossed the finish line Sunday on a plaza behind the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Suddenly, there was a rush to the side of the plaza, toward the finish. Team Logan was coming, and no one wanted to miss the moment.

In a scene that was repeated more than a dozen times throughout the morning, Meghann and Lance Green crossed the finish of the Olympic division together with their 4-year-old son, Logan, perched on Lance's shoulders. Meghann pushed an empty stroller decorated with the words "Team Logan. Never let go of hope."

Dozens cheered and Meghann was embraced in a long, teary hug by Beth Lucas, development director of the United Cerebral Palsy of Greater Cleveland. UCP is the official charity of the triathlon, and the group has helped remake the 25-year-old event that no longer is major stop on the pro tour.

Lucas and UCP Cleveland President Trish Otter said about 400 of the event's racers participated as part of nearly 20 UCP family teams. Together, they helped raise a record $185,000 through Sunday, $10,000 ahead of last year's race. They are hoping to reach $215,000. Otter said the Triathlon is the Cleveland chapter's largest fundraiser and accounts for about 15-20 percent of its annual budget.

Many of the parents and their children challenged by cerebral palsy and other conditions were competing in a triathlon for the first time.

The emotional finishes offered a stark contrast, especially, in the longer, Olympic Division. Parents with youngsters such as Lucas who have faced enormous challenges participated alongside elite racers.

"It's really not about the Olympic distance race," said Olympic division winner Kimberly Shaheen. "It's more about the families that come together and do this for the first time and are accomplishing something they might never do."

On the course, it was a common to see the speedy triathletes offer encouragement to parents with their children in tow. "Their spirit, our bodies," was a common refrain.

Inspiration is a word that is tossed around rather loosely in sports, but it truly rained like confetti at a convention in the finish area. The Greens, of Wickliffe, said they had never considered anything resembling a triathlon until Logan was born.

"He is the whole inspiration," Meghann Green said. "He's the reason we do everything. It's his spirit and our bodies. Anything we can do to make us as proud of us as we are of him."

Added Lance, "This is just the beginning. I was so motivated. These kids fight so hard just to get a taste of doing the things we take for granted."

The different teams were easy to spot with custom T-shirts offering motivational slogans. "Her Spirit. Our Bodies. This Challenge. One Purpose," read Team Elsie's shirts, for Elsie Koonce of Cleveland Heights.

"Believe" was the simple message for Team Payton. "This is my favorite day of the year," said Payton's mother, Carrie Light of Cleveland, after pushing Payton across the finish in a stroller, as Payton clutched her stuffed white bunny, Bucky.

Team Dawud's shirts offered a quote and a promise from 13-year-old Dawud Sharrieff Jr. of Bedford: "My ultimate goal is to run." Dawud rode a tandem bike in the Super Sprint with his father, Dawud Sr., and was pushed in a stroller until finishing under his own power.

One of the biggest support groups, more than 75 people, drove 80 miles from Millersburg in Holmes County to run alongside and watch 4-year-old Marley Rickly walk across the finish with her parents, Briana and Chris. Briana Rickly said Team Marley, which raised $5,000 just by word of mouth back home, came away impressed by the way Cleveland embraced UCP and the triathlon.

"When you think of a big city, you don't think of such great support as this. But we got the exact same support here as you get in a small town. It's amazing," she said.

Scott posts four birdies over the final nine holes to easily claim his first victory in over a year.

View full sizeJohn Kuntz, The Plain DealerAdam Scott was clearly the dominant golfer down the stretch of the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational, and his triumphant birdie on the final hole just made it official.

AKRON, Ohio -- When Adam Scott made his debut on the PGA Tour at the start of this decade, he frequently was compared to fellow Australian Greg Norman and was even labeled as the next Tiger Woods.

Being compared to superstars is not an enviable way to start a career.

But on Sunday, he played a little like both of them.

On a bright and steamy day at Firestone Country Club, Scott fought off challenges from several players by shooting a bogey-free 5-under 65 to win the World Golf Championships-Bridgestone Invitational by four shots over Rickie Fowler and Luke Donald.

Scott, a classy 31-year-old from Adelaide, finished with a 72-hole score of 17-under 263 and his margin of victory equaled Tiger Woods' in 2009, the widest since Woods won by eight in 2007.

That isn't the only significant distinction they share. Scott's former coach is Butch Harmon, who coached Woods at the height of his career. Steve Williams, Woods' long-time caddie, was on Scott's bag this week.

Oh, what a tangled web.

Williams received just as many shouts of encouragement and congratulations as Scott as the two walked up the 72nd fairway, victory safely secured.

"This has been the greatest week of my life caddying and I sincerely mean that," said Williams, who carried for Woods during 13 of his 14 majors and has carried various bags in 145 pro victories.

"I had no idea how popular a New Zealander can be, coming from Australia," said Scott, laughing. "But, obviously he's a popular guy around here."

Williams, who worked 12 years for Woods, will be on Scott's bag next week for the PGA Championship at the Atlanta Athletic Club. Scott has never won a major.

"I'm going to be straight up and honest," Williams said. "I'm on the downside of my caddying career. I live in New Zealand and I've been caddying 33 years. I'd like to help Adam get across the line and try and win a major championship."

Scott was involved in a tug-of-war with 19-year-old Ryo Ishikawa until Ishikawa suffered a damaging bogey on the par-3 15th, which dropped him to 12 under. It came after Scott had rolled in about a 28-foot putt for birdie on the 14th, which put him at 16 under.

"It was a huge turning point, with Ryo 3-putting there because it easily could have gone the other way," said Scott, who birdied the 12th hole when he chipped in from the fringe.

Scott, who held or shared the lead after an opening-round 62, added the finishing touch when he birdied the 18th after marvelous approach from 203 yards nearly hit the pin and stopped five feet away. When he made the putt, Williams gave it a triumphant fist-pump in true Tiger fashion.

Old habits are hard to break. Williams played a role on that shot. Scott wanted to hit a 7-iron to the right of the flag before Williams intervened.

"He said, 'What are you talking about? Hit a 6-iron straight at the pin,'" Scott recalled. "And I hit a great shot."

Fowler, dressed in orange from head to foot, and Donald, the top-ranked player in the world, made gallant runs with identical rounds of 66.

The victory is the biggest of Scott's career -- worth $1.4 million -- and completed the cycle from potential superstar to successful pro to a guy having trouble making a putt. In 2007 Scott had one victory, six top 10 finishes and made more than $3 million. In 2009 he missed 10 cuts and made $783,138. He questioned whether he belonged.

"It was 2009 at the Memorial," he said in citing the low point. "It was the only time I've ever broken a club in anger on the course. I broke a 7-iron in the second round, and of course, I needed it about four more times that day."

Scott realized he had to make changes.

"Unless something changes, I shouldn't play golf," he remembered telling himself. "I need to change, one, my attitude, and two, my game or I shouldn't be out here."

He's made changes, from coaches to caddies to long putters and just going with his instincts. It all paid off Sunday, for Scott and for Williams.

McCoy is pleased with the offense's performance despite injuries to most of his skill players.

View full sizeJoshua Gunter, The Plain Dealer"It's new to everybody and we're learning as we speak," Colt McCoy said of installing the West Coast offense in a brief period of time, "but we're moving in the right direction."

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Colt McCoy couldn't contain his enthusiasm for the Browns offense's progress in the first week of camp -- despite most of his top skill players either injured or standing on the sidelines.

"How far we've made it in a week is crazy, my comfort level in what we're doing," the second-year quarterback said after the Family Fun Day practice at Cleveland Browns Stadium on Saturday. "If you follow the transition of the whole week, we're night and day compared to where we started."

Coach Pat Shurmur chuckled with McCoy in the locker room about how far they've come in just six practices. When the lockout ended, McCoy didn't even know his offensive coaches.

"He's made huge strides in one week," said Shurmur. "For him to be able to come out here and execute in a lot of situations has been really good."

With the Browns on a fast track to learn the new West Coast offense, McCoy was forced to install much of the scheme this week without most of his starting skill players for all or parts of the week. Here's how it went:

• Top wideout Mohamed Massaquoi showed up the first day of camp with a walking cast on his lower left leg and it's uncertain when he'll be back. He could get the cast off in a week or so, but it'll take him time to get up to speed.

• Tight end Ben Watson, the Browns' leader in receptions last season, went down with a concussion and missed several days.

• Receiver Josh Cribbs missed most of the week with a knee injury suffered when a defender fell on it, but returned Friday.

• Tight end Evan Moore missed the first five days of work because newly-signed free agents weren't permitted to practice until Thursday.

• Tight end Jordan Cameron developed some great chemistry with McCoy early on in camp but went down with a pulled hamstring and has missed the past several days.

• Receiver Jordan Norwood was drawing rave reviews and getting tons of reps until he went down with a hip flexor.

Despite all of that, McCoy came out and excelled during red zone drills at the stadium, throwing touchdown passes to Peyton Hillis, Watson, Greg Little and Moore.

"Overall, I was very pleased," said McCoy. "We threw and caught a lot of balls. We threw a lot of touchdowns. Seven-on-seven and the red zone, that was our focus. It's new to everybody and we're learning as we speak, but we're moving in the right direction."

The afternoon also showed that the offense still has a long way to go in this precision scheme. One pass in team drills glanced off Hillis' chest and was picked off by Mike Adams and returned for a TD. Another deep ball for Brian Robiskie was almost swiped by rookie Eric Hagg and undrafted rookie James Dockery picked off McCoy early on in the first of his two-minute drills.

"Our timing is just a little bit off," said McCoy. "The depth of our routes, my footwork in the pocket, they're just not timing up like I want them to at this point. You saw a lot of things that were just really close, just right off the hands, or somebody didn't look at it and it goes by their head. But they're easily fixable."

McCoy grew weary answering repeated questions about his pick in his first two-minute drill. His second one ended in a missed 60-yard field goal attempt by Phil Dawson.

"You guys really like to talk about the end of practice, don't you?" he said. "What about all the good touchdowns?

"Those are things that just need to be cleaned up. That may be the second time as a group we've ever run that play. But we need to get better at that. I need to get better at that."

Moore reminded folks that McCoy is learning the new offense along with everyone else. "And he's the one that's got to command it," said Moore. "He devoted his off-season to learning it. Because of his discipline in trying to get the details down he's going to be fine, but I definitely think it's a tough thing to do."

Moore said McCoy has what it takes to overcome the lockout and new scheme.

"This offense puts a lot of responsibility on the quarterback, but there's nobody better than Colt to handle it," said Moore. "As a young player leading the team, he's our guy and he's doing a great job."

McCoy, who will face the Super Bowl champion Packers in the preseason opener on Saturday, said the key for the offense is not to make the same mistake twice.

"We need more practice, get some receivers healthy; we need this next week," he said. "If we can make the same jump we made this week, we'll feel more comfortable with each other and we can go out there and compete."

Monday's schedule: Practice 10:30 p.m. to 1 p.m. in Berea in full pads.