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NCAA's final judgment won't change the lasting damage to Ohio State's reputation: Bill Livingston

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Ohio State's final hearing at NCAA headquarters on the scandal that led to Jim Tressel ouster is likely to result in only light penalties. But in reputation, the damage has been done.

smith-tressel-gee-march11-mf.jpgView full sizeIf ethical flexibility is one of the requirements of leadership around college football, (from left) OSU President Gordon Gee, former coach Jim Tressel and AD Gene Smith have displayed the necessary skills, says Bill Livingston.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Judgment Day for Ohio State will arrive in the weeks after Friday's meeting with the NCAA Committee on Infractions in Indianapolis. All signs point to light penalties for the school, despite the fact that its leaders seldom led, and the coach of its flagship program behaved counter to the high values he espoused.

It will be a surprise if the Buckeyes receive a bowl ban because they avoided a finding by NCAA investigators of lack of institutional control over the football program in the scandal that involved players receiving discounted tattoos and cash payments for football memorabilia.

Ethical flexibility is seemingly one of the requirements of leadership around college football. OSU president E. Gordon Gee, when not joking that he feared former coach Jim Tressel would dismiss him, was up to the challenge, as was athletic director Gene Smith.

Last December, the NCAA, after lobbying by OSU, Big Ten and Sugar Bowl officials, kept the five players in the scandal eligible for the Sugar Bowl game. The NCAA's rationale for carrying the players' suspensions into the 2011 season instead was that "the student-athletes did not receive adequate rules education during the time period the violations occurred."

In other words, with OSU's acquiescence, the NCAA threw the school's compliance staff under the bus.

By the time the smoke cleared, Ohio State, despite earlier lauding Tressel's "body of work" as a principled man, sacrificed him for covering up the violations last season. The 12 victories in 2010 were voluntarily vacated, too.

"Considering the institution's rules education and monitoring efforts, the enforcement staff did not believe a failure to monitor charge was appropriate in this case," the investigators said on July 19, in accepting the punishment Ohio State had imposed on itself.

In other words, the NCAA said the OSU compliance staff did a darn swell job.

There is no consistency to the NCAA's view of OSU's compliance department at the scandal's beginning and at its virtual end. The expedient thing to do, because Ohio State football is so important to the Big Ten, the bowls, and the television networks' revenue, was to see no evil.

If the NCAA's integrity was impugned by its own words, though, so was that of Tressel.

"The reputation of a thousand years may be determined by the conduct of one hour," wrote Tressel, citing a Japanese proverb, in his book "The Winners Manual for the Game of Life."

Neither Tressel, nor officials of the Big Ten, nor of Ohio State, nor of the NCAA, nor of the Sugar Bowl emerged from the scandal as the men of the hour.

The punishment Gee and Smith handed down on March 8 was a wrist slap for a wealthy coach -- a two-game suspension -- when the guilty players were serving five games, and a $250,000 fine. This was despite the fact that Tressel had twice been reprimanded in yearly evaluations by Smith's predecessor, Andy Geiger, for lack of timeliness in reporting violations and for failure to monitor automobile purchases by his players. (There is no written trail under Smith, who issues oral evaluations.)

On March 17, after the NCAA rejected OSU's appeal of the players' sentence, the suspension for Tressel grew to five games. Still later came, in chronological order, the resignation/forced resignation/retirement of Tressel.

On Memorial Day, the coach said he resigned.

"Jim Tressel decided to resign," said Smith then.

"Tressel was not told he would be fired if he didn't quit," Gee said on June 12. "He was not given an ultimatum."

OSU revealed that Tressel was forced out as part of its official response to the NCAA allegations on July 7.

In its "introductory statement," Ohio State argued that "the institution has imposed significant corrective and punitive actions upon itself and sought and received the resignation of Tressel."

The statement later added, "The institution is embarrassed by the actions of Tressel in this matter."

This is known as scapegoating.

The statement added, "... the university also said it is waiving a $250,000 fine imposed on Tressel and changing his resignation to a retirement."

Ka-ching.

Ohio State also agreed to pay Tressel $52,250 -- the equivalent of the salary and benefits he would have earned through the end of June. Tressel also will collect his unpaid sick and vacation time up to 250 hours and will be eligible for health insurance coverage for himself and his family under the plan available to all state retirees.

Ka-ching-a-ling. This is known as hush money.

Many will say, when the verdict comes down, that Ohio State did not get hammered because it is too big to fail. True, except in matters of integrity, conscience and leadership.

On Twitter: @LivyPD


Cleveland Indians vs. Detroit Tigers: On deck

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Breaking down this week's big series between the leaders in the AL Central.

ubaldo-masterson-vert-boston-ap.jpgView full sizeUbaldo Jimenez (right, with Justin Masterson and Jason Kipnis) makes his Progressive Field debut with the Indians on Wednesday against the Tigers.

Where: Progressive Field.

When: Tuesday through Thursday.

TV/radio: SportsTime Ohio; WTAM AM/1100.

Pitching matchups: RHP Doug Fister (4-12, 3.29) vs. RHP Justin Masterson (9-7, 2.63) Tuesday at 7:05 p.m.; RHP Scott Porcello (11-6, 4.49) vs. RHP Ubaldo Jimenez (6-9, 4.64) Wednesday at 7:05 p.m. and RHP Justin Verlander (16-5, 2.30) vs. Fausto Carmona (5-11, 5.19) Thursday at 7:5 p.m.

Season series: The Indians lead Detroit, 4-2. Detroit leads, 1,053-1,026, overall.

Indians update: They're coming off 3-4 trip through Boston and Texas and have not played first-place Detroit since June. They're hitting .240 (49-for-204) against the Tigers and the scoring in the series is tied at 25. Matt LaPorta is hitting .318 (7-for-22) with one homer and six RBI against Detroit. Fausto Carmona and relievers Tony Sipp, Chris Perez and Chad Durbin are 1-0 against Detroit.

Tigers update: They enter the three-game series with a four-game lead in the AL Central, their largest of the season. They've won six of their last 10 games. Detroit is hitting .298 against the Tribe with Miguel Cabrera leading the way at .400 (8-for-20) with two homers and six RBI. Verlander is 1-0 against the Indians this year and 7-1 over the last three.

Injuries: Indians -- CF Grady Sizemore (right knee, hernia), RF Shin-Soo Choo (left thumb) and OF Trevor Crowe (right shoulder) are on the disabled list. Tigers -- LHP Brad Thomas (left elbow) and RHP Joel Zumaya (right elbow) are on the disabled list. C/DH Victor Martinez (left knee) is day to day.

Next: The Twins come to Progressive Field for a three-game series starting Friday.

Cleveland Indians' Justin Masterson doesn't let runs or wins (or the lack of both) diminish his smile

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Nice guy Justin Masterson won't moan about the lack of run support he's received in his best season of pitching with the Tribe.

masterson-towell-vert-cc.jpgView full sizeSummertime heat may force a quick towel break during games, but the lack of run support for Justin Masterson remains an issue the Indians' young starter refuses to sweat about. "I want my teammates to appreciate me for the man I am, and hopefully the player I am, too," Masterson said. "I go out and bust my tail and put forth the best effort. Sometimes that will mean a victory, sometimes it won't."

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- It might be nice, perhaps, if one day Justin Masterson really exploded, really expressed the emotions churning beneath that perpetually cheerful exterior.

If the Tribe right-hander showed everyone how frustrating it can be when he fails to get run support from his hitters, if he spouted off the bitterness everyone knows must be simmering somewhere deep down, if he acknowledged that sometimes the glass might really be half-empty.

If he'd stop being so gosh-darn merry and upbeat about everything tossed his way.

"You know, there are times when it's a little too much, I have to say," pitching coach Tim Belcher said, chuckling.

It'd be nice to see Masterson's darker side, but his perpetual optimism is, of course, what has helped most of all in leading him to 9-7 and a 2.63 ERA -- the best of his career -- this season as he's slid into the No. 2 slot in the Indians' rotation. He's second only because unquestioned ace Ubaldo Jimenez joined the club via trade last week.

Masterson's unflappable demeanor has helped him progress from an unsteady pitcher many targeted for a bullpen role after his 2009 trade to Cleveland for All-Star catcher Victor Martinez to the Tribe's strikeout leader. He's steady in the face of a string of winless starts – which reached 11 this season and a team-record 17 last season. He's chipper and resilient while the Indians' slide from early-season division leader has morphed into 12 losses in the past 17 games.

He's so bright-eyed and sunny that his optimism almost stands out more than his 6-foot-6 stature in the clubhouse.

"For me, a lot of it is understanding that this is game, and a lot of chance can take place," Masterson said recently. "You catch a break here, you catch a break there. You're relying on some of your positive attitude and understand that I'm a strong man of faith and believe in God. That definitely has a big part in it -- knowing that it's just the game of baseball."

That Masterson is quick to mention his faith, even when discussing the simplest aspects of baseball, should be expected. His father, Mark Masterson, has been the pastor at Creekside Community Church in Beavercreek, Ohio, for 25 years. Justin was born in Jamaica when his father taught at Jamaican Theological Seminary, he has played the guitar and drums for Creekside, and he attended NAIA Bethel College in Mishawaka, Ind. -- a self-identified evangelical Christian college -- because he wanted to attend the same school as his sister and cousins while remaining close to his core beliefs.

Baseball came second. It still does, and it always will. For the 26-year-old sinkerball pitcher, the end result is important. But it's not everything.

That's why he can still smile after the Indians scored 22 runs in his 11 starts without a victory, how he can shrug off two 1-0 losses and not whine or complain that Tribe hitters were shut out four times.

"I'm just trying to do the best that I can," Masterson said. "I like to win. That's definite. But at the end of the day, I want my teammates to appreciate me for the man I am, and hopefully the player I am, too. I go out and bust my tail and put forth the best effort. Sometimes that will mean a victory, sometimes it won't."

Last season, more often it didn't. In his first full season as a starter, Masterson did not get a win until June 4. He tinkered with small things in his pitching motion, and over his final 13 appearances he went 3-3 with a 2.86 ERA.

"Sometimes things just flow together better," Masterson said. "In an overall sense, that's what's happened. I haven't overhauled anything. There might be a minuscule change, the knee bends a 1/4 of an inch more. It's not rocket science."

Like everything else, Masterson shrugs off his improvement this season. He's so wholesomely good-natured that he likes to bowl, his wife bakes cookies (merylscookies.com), and they enjoy spending time with their newborn daughter more than anything else. His shaved head even makes him resemble Mr. Clean, for goodness sake, and that is, in fact, the look he was aiming for when he first took out a razor for Halloween in high school.

Still, there's some less-than-perfect feelings beneath the surface. When he was 9, he smacked another boy in the face with a pitch. His parents wondered aloud if he should continue pitching. His tendency to hit batters has continued throughout his career. He's hit seven this season, 10th most in the majors. So he might seem all wholesome goodness, but he's clamoring for every little edge to get that win, too.

"The fact that he's an optimist and he has a positive outlook on life -- and his faith -- has helped him," his father, Mark, said. "The fact it's a team effort helps, too. He's definitely a team player. Team matters when it comes to the sport of baseball.

"But he's human. He enjoys getting wins."

Maybe someday he'll even show that, too.

LeBron James, SVSM teammates to enter school's hall of fame: High school newswatch

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Plain Dealer staff reports CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The core of the St. Vincent-St. Mary boys basketball team that won three state championships in four years will be inducted into the school's athletic hall of fame on Wednesday during ceremonies at the Akron school.

From left, Sian Cotton, LeBron James, Dru Joyce III, Romeo Travis, Willie McGee formed the heart of St. Vincent-St. Mary's championship team. - (Lionsgate Films)

Plain Dealer staff reports

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The core of the St. Vincent-St. Mary boys basketball team that won three state championships in four years will be inducted into the school's athletic hall of fame on Wednesday during ceremonies at the Akron school.

School officials said LeBron James will attend the ceremony, along with his friends and former teammates, Sian Cotton, Dru Joyce III, Willie McGee and Romeo Travis.

The event will take place in the school gymnasium at 7:30 p.m. and is open to the public. A private pre-induction reception will begin at 6:30 p.m.

James, Cotton, Joyce and McGee were childhood friends and played basketball together from grade school through high school. After going 27-0 and winning the Division III state championship as freshmen, they were joined by Travis during their sophomore year and went on to win two more state titles. They were Division II state champs and mythical national champs during their senior season. In the four seasons their record was 103-6.

Their story went on to become the subject of a documentary, "More Than a Game."

-- Tim Rogers

They're back: When the Cleveland Metropolitan School District laid off 847 union employees in April, it looked as though John Adams and Lincoln-West would be in need of head football coaches.

All that was remedied when laidoff teachers, Rebels coach Gary Jackson and Wolverines mentor Caldwell Washington, submitted preference forms to be substitute teachers in the school district.

"Every laidoff teacher had the opportunity to register to become substitute teachers for the 11-12 school year," said Donna Bowen, deputy chief for human resources in the CMSD. "Mr. Jackson and Mr. Caldwell registered, thus they will have the opportunity to be substitute teachers in our district.

"That means they will be called on a daily basis, if needed, or they could be given a [substitute teaching] assignment which could last 2-3 weeks or maybe longer."

No CMSD teachers from the recent layoff have been called back.

Jackson had been a social studies teacher in the school district since 1994 while Washington had been a health/physical education teacher in the district for 34 years. Both said they were happy to be back.

"We've put in a lot of hard work at Adams to get the [football] program back to respectability and we want to continue to move upward," said Jackson, who begins his sixth season as the Rebels' head coach.

Washington, the Wolverines' sixth-year head coach, jumped at the opportunity to become a substitute teacher.

"I needed one more year to retire and I got it," Washington said.

-- Bob Fortuna

Ohio State's first day of practice reveals areas of preseason concern

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New assistant coach Mike Vrabel ran with his players as Ohio State's depth chart took shape at the first day of practice. Watch video

fickell-osu-practice-2011-horiz-ap.jpgView full sizeLuke Fickell's first day running fall training camp came with several question marks yet to be decided in the Buckeyes' depth chart.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- After the 103 players in Ohio State's preseason camp finished their post-practice stretching Monday, most hopped up and jogged off the field, either into the locker room or into the tubs of ice waiting to cool down their bodies.

The linebackers stayed on the field for some extra sprints. New linebackers coach Mike Vrabel, who would be in an NFL camp as a player right now if his best friend wasn't the Buckeyes' head coach, sprinted with them.

"He's fitting in just fine," Luke Fickell said of his new assistant. "You can see the guys are taking to him and the coaches are taking to him.

Fickell's plan was to keep things fairly similar to the way former coach Jim Tressel ran practice, and that seemed to hold true during the roughly two-hour session. Besides Vrabel's sprinting abilities, here's what else stood out:

Suspended players: Among the four players suspended for the first five games of the season, running back Dan Herron seemed to get the most work with the first team. Left tackle Mike Adams and receiver DeVier Posey were with the second team. Defensive end Solomon Thomas was the only player on the roster injured enough to spend the day on the sidelines rehabbing instead of practicing.

Quarterback reps: The four scholarship quarterbacks on the roster evenly split the practice reps, but as they moved through drills and scrimmage situations, it was senior Joe Bauserman who went first and most often worked with the starters. He was followed by sophomore Kenny Guiton, redshirt freshman Taylor Graham and true freshman Braxton Miller.

While, for instance, Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly has said he'd like to name a winner in his four-way quarterback battle after 19 practices and 10 days before the start of the season, Fickell said he has no particular timetable.

"We'll adjust as we go and give everyone the opportunity," he said.

Asked what will matter most in that competition, Fickell said, "confidence and leadership." For what it's worth, Bauserman, as the group's elder statesman, wasn't grabbing that leadership role by the horns Monday.

Receivers lacking: Redshirt freshman James Louis isn't in camp and according to the St. Petersburg Times, the Florida native is looking to transfer to a Florida school. Among the six receivers in the recruiting classes of 2009 and 2010, Louis would be the third to leave, joining Duron Carter and James Jackson.

So the position is thin, and there were some drops Monday. With Posey running with the twos, sophomore Corey "Philly" Brown and redshirt freshman Verlon Reed, a former high school quarterback, were the most frequent first-team receivers. But true freshmen Evan Spencer and Devin Smith looked comfortable for Day One.

Offensive line depth: There's not much depth here, with only seven veteran scholarship players. The rest of the 16 linemen consist of five walk-ons and four true freshmen. The starters Monday were Andrew Norwell at left tackle, Jack Mewhort at left guard, Mike Brewster at center, Marcus Hall at right guard and J.B. Shugarts at right tackle. Adams was the second-team left tackle, and Corey Linsley was the second-team right guard.

Klein back, but linebackers short: The Buckeyes are down four linebackers from where they thought they'd be. Dorian Bell, who worked with the second team all spring, is suspended for the year; Jonathan Newsome, who may have started on the strongside, has said he's transferring to Ball State; true freshman Conner Crowell is out for the year after surgery; and Ejuan Price was let out of his scholarship commitment after Tressel's resignation. That leaves just seven scholarship players in camp.

"I wouldn't even be able to tell you how many scholarship guys there are out there," Fickell said. "We're going with the guys we've got."

Of that group, Andrew Sweat will start on the weakside and junior Storm Klein looked sharp running with the first team at middle linebacker after sitting for most of the spring with nagging injuries. Etienne Sabino, still expected to contend for that job, played with the first team on the strongside and with the second team in the middle.

Secondary: There are multiple contenders for jobs, but on the first day Tyler Moeller ran with the first team at the star, Orhian Johnson and C.J. Barnett were the safeties, and Travis Howard was one of the corners. Dominic Clarke, Bradley Roby and Dionte Allen all saw time at the other corner.

Super Bowl ring won't diminish Brandon Jackson's desire to improve the Cleveland Browns

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Brandon Jackson will face his former Packers teammates Saturday night in the preseason opener, but he's already a Brown through and through. Watch video

jackson-stretch-camp-2011-horiz-ldj.jpgView full sizeBrandon Jackson has no problem putting his Green Bay experience in the past and preparing to play the Packers as a member of the Browns on Saturday. "I'm here to do a job," he said Monday. "I'm coming into a new era with the Cleveland Browns and I feel great about it."

BEREA, Ohio -- Brandon Jackson was so moved by winning a Super Bowl in Green Bay last season that he refused to let anyone wash his jersey.

He also knew it might be the last time he'd ever wear it.

"That jersey will not be washed," Jackson told the Green Bay Press-Gazette two days after the game. "It'll be hung up, framed with the rest of my jerseys that I have from college and high school. That 32 is very special to me. That's four hard years of dedication, blood, sweat, tears, and adversity that goes into that 32. It's emotional when I talk about it because I've been through a lot here."

But Jackson (5-10, 216) won't be pining for his Packers days when he faces them Saturday night in the Browns' offensive backfield.

"There won't be a lot of hugging going on," he said Monday. "I'm here to do a job. I'm coming into a new era with the Cleveland Browns and I feel great about it. I feel like there's a lot of momentum going forward and I just want to have a lot of success for the team and for myself."

A second-round pick of the Packers in 2007 out of Nebraska, Jackson started a career-high 13 games last season in place of Ryan Grant, who was lost for the season with a Week 1 ankle injury. Jackson rushed for 703 yards and three TDs on 190 carries, adding another 342 yards on 43 receptions.

But by season's end, Jackson -- a career third-down back to that point -- had lost the starting job to rookie sensation James Starks, who carried the load during the postseason. The Packers also drafted running back Alex Green in the third round, and the writing was on the wall. He was signed by the Browns as a free agent when camp opened.

"It wasn't hard to leave," said Jackson. "My opportunity is here and I'm trying to take advantage of that. This was the best choice for me and my family."

jackson-runs-camp-2011-jk.jpgView full size"He's a perfect fit for us," Browns GM Tom Heckert says of Brandon Jackson. "Obviously coming from the West Coast offense, he's going to have a feel of what we're doing."

Jackson's presence in training camp has been more prominent as Montario Hardesty has been idle since the second day to rest his surgically-repaired knee. Jackson's been getting plenty of reps since he joined practice on Thursday and had a solid showing in Saturday's Family Day practice.

"We really like him," said Browns General Manager Tom Heckert during the first week of camp. "He's a perfect fit for us. Obviously coming from the West Coast offense, he's going to have a feel of what we're doing. But he was a guy that started 13 games and had [703] yards for a team that won the Super Bowl, so that's not half bad."

Heckert added Jackson "can pass protect, he can catch the ball, and he's got great vision. He's a great addition." He was unworried by Jackson's so-so 3.7-yards per carry average last season. For comparison's sake, Peyton Hillis averaged 4.4 yards.

"Nothing against Green Bay, but I think we can run the football," said Heckert. "We did that very well last year. He's obviously got to show he can do it, but that wasn't a concern for us. We think he can run it."

Jackson, who started only three games before last season -- all in 2007 -- is happy with his third-down role, but envisions bigger things.

"Hopefully I'll get more carries here and prove that I can be an every down back and help Peyton carry the load," he said.

Jackson, 25, said he brings plenty to the table, both on and off the field. "I'm still young, I know how to win and I have experience," he said. "I feel like my strengths are making the first guy miss, getting downhill, running the ball hard and picking up the first down."

Jackson also prides himself on no fumbles and no penalties in his four seasons in Green Bay, attributing it to his work ethic.

"What you put into practice is what you're going to get out of it," he said. "You don't fumble the ball in practice."

Coach Pat Shurmur said he was impressed with Jackson during Saturday's practice and is looking forward to seeing him against the Packers.

"He's got burst, he's got size and he's a good runner," said Shurmur. "I'm sure he'll be amped up to play his former team, a team he contributed greatly to. I'm sure he's got a lot of friends there."

Jackson vowed there will be no revenge factor motivating him.

"I feel like it's a good competitive edge," he said. "I'm just trying to help my new team get better."

Ohio State Buckeyes P.M. links: Quarterback derby one of several issues as camp begins

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Buckeyes look to replace three-year starter Terrelle Pryor. Links to several other OSU reports.

miller-bauserman-guiton.jpgOhio State quarterback candidates Braxton Miller (5), Joe Bauserman (14) and Ken Guiton (13). Taylor Graham is also competing for the starting job.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Terrelle Pryor's last act as Ohio State's quarterback was to prematurely force the question of who would replace him.

Pryor, a three-year starter who would have begun his senior season with the Buckeyes' first official practice today, left OSU earlier this summer -- the result of his involvement in the memorabilia for tattoos/cash scandal. The violations by several Ohio State players also led to the forced resignation of Buckeyes coach Jim Tressel.

In the running to replace Pryor are fifth-year senior Joe Bauserman, sophomore Ken Guiton, redshirt freshman Taylor Graham and highly-touted freshman Braxton Miller.

Interim head coach Luke Fickell was asked about the quarterback candidates following today's practice.

Matthew Hager writes about today's practice and the Buckeyes' quarterback situation for Scout.com and BuckeyeSports.com:  

“I think they hustled around,” Fickell said. “They probably were doing what they were asked to do. We’ll continue to evaluate them as they go.”

As for what he and the rest of the staff is looking for with the quarterbacks, Fickell listed confidence and leadership as the main traits.

“You can lead in different ways,” he said. “You don’t have to be the vocal guy, but you’ve got to have confidence. You’ve got to exude confidence. Guys have to believe in you, and I think that’s the thing we’re trying to develop.

“They all have the ability. We’ve just got to make sure and see who’s going to fit the program and what we do well the best.”  

Plain Dealer and cleveland.com Ohio State coverage includes Doug Lesmerises' OSU practice update; Bill Livingston's column on the scandal-caused damage to Ohio State's reputation; Lesmerises' story on promising defensive lineman Johnathan Hankins; his breakdown of the Buckeyes by position group as camp begins.

QB derby

Tim May and Bill Rabinowitz of the Columbus Dispatch address several questions about the Buckeyes.

May writes that the complete answer may not be apparent until Ohio State plays at Miami (Fla.) in the third game on Sept. 17 -- following season-opening home games against Akron on Sept. 3 and Toledo on Sept. 10 -- and, writes May:

Many believe that freshman Braxton Miller has a great chance, and he did improve as spring drills proceeded, but the coaches still are expected to lean on one of the older players — senior Joe Bauserman, sophomore Kenny Guiton or redshirt freshman Taylor Graham — as the starter early.

Rabinowitz thinks the coaches probably want to narrow the QB competition early, and:

(T)here’s so much uncertainty at running back, receiver and somewhat on the line that it’d be best to eliminate the noncontenders quickly, so there’s a semblance of stability with the guy under center. I agree that everyone has a shot for now. The most intriguing is Miller, who, based on his credentials, has all the skills needed to succeed eventually. Whether Fickell is willing to hand the reins to a true freshman is a big question.

Buckeyes blitz 

Scout.com and CollegeFootballNews.com has Ohio State much lower than its normal standing in their preseason ranking.

A feature story on how Ohio State president Gordon Gee is dealing with the football program scandal. By Seth Wickersham for ESPN The Magazine.

The Buckeyes were ready for training camp to begin, writes Tim May of the Columbus Dispatch.

Ohio State is eager to move on as it begins to prepare for the season. By John Kampf for the News-Herald and Lorain Morning Journal.

An ESPN.com video interview with linebacker Andrew Sweat.

An Ohio State team report, from Yahoo! Sports and Rivals.com.

A report on the first day of practice, by Tim May of the Columbus Dispatch.

 

Cleveland Browns training camp log: Day 10

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What was seen and heard around camp on Monday. Watch video

BEREA, Ohio -- What was seen and heard around camp on Monday:

Trench battles: Pat Shurmur has enjoyed watching rookie right end Jabaal Sheard try to get past left tackle Joe Thomas and defensive tackle Phil Taylor dueling right guard Shaun Lauvao.

"There's quite a bit of good competition," said Shurmur. "Those are just two matchups, there's a lot more. Those are probably the most visible for me because I'm trying to keep an eye on the progress of our rookies."

Shurmur said Lauvao is on track to be the starter: "Yeah, I think he's having a terrific camp. We hope he just progresses like he's been doing, through the rest of this camp and then that will be the case."

D wins two-minute: The defense is still showing up the offense in the two-minute drill. Cornerback Sheldon Brown knocked down a pass from Colt McCoy to Brian Robiskie at the goal line and rookie defensive back James Dockery picked off a Seneca Wallace Hail Mary. Third-teamer Jarrett Brown ran it in for a TD in his chance.

Injury update: The following players were idle: WR Mohamed Massaquoi (foot), RB Montario Hardesty (knee), DL Jabari Fletcher (knee). LB Chris Gocong left practice with a neck stinger and DB Ramzee Robinson left with a groin injury.

Tuesday's schedule: Practice 8:45-11:15 a.m.


Wrestling excellence is a full-time motivation for CVCA's Nathan Tomasello: Tim Warsinskey's Take

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CVCA junior continues to build a reputation as one of the region's very best on the mat.

tomasello-cvca-wrestle-mf.jpgView full sizeThe drive to succeed never really has an off-season for Nathan Tomasello (left, in a victory over Zon Fields of Marion Pleasant in the Division III state meet last March). "I want to train to be the best," he says.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- I knew he had just come out of a wrestling room, so the bumps and bruises on Nathan Tomasello's face didn't alarm me. I tried to strike up a conversation as we walked through a parking lot, our paths having crossed a few weeks ago at St. Edward.

"You transferring here?" I asked. It was a joke, or an attempt at one. Tomasello will be a junior at Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy, where he already has won two state titles and last season was ranked No. 1 nationally at 103 pounds.

Tomasello didn't smile. He looked so dour, I had to ask, "Are you OK?"

"Yeah," was all he said.

I got in my car and wondered. Then it dawned on me: "Fargo." He was preparing for the USA Wrestling National Cadet and Junior Championships, July 17-25 in Fargo, N.D., renowned as the most prestigious and daunting tournament for high school-age kids.

Americans whose careers lead to world and Olympic tournaments traditionally come of age on the windswept plains of eastern North Dakota. Most of the 2009 U.S. World Team members competed in Fargo. CVCA grad and two-time World bronze medalist Harry Lester won Cadet Nationals there in 1999 and Junior Nationals in 2000.

So, that's why Tomasello was at St. Edward that day, training in the Eagles' wrestling room as part of a summer routine that also included regular trips to Elyria coach Erik Burnett's famed Barn in Grafton.

"I was focused on Fargo," Tomasello explained recently about our chance meeting at St. Edward. "I don't like to talk before big competitions."

I took comfort in knowing I wasn't the only one he blew off. He also declined an invitation from USA Wrestling to compete in Mexico City this summer because he didn't want to think about anything other than winning Fargo.

I wondered aloud, is that any way to spend your summer? What about the beach?

"I have fun doing this," Tomasello said. "I'd be bored if I wasn't training so hard for these type of competitions."

The running joke in the CVCA wrestling room is when coach Don Lorence announces a light workout, Tomasello's sparring partner will groan, "Light day? Not for me, Coach. I've got Tomasello."

Tomasello, a Parma resident, comes by his quiet work ethic honestly. He notices the burns on the arms of his father, Tom, after long hours as a pipefitter at the ArcelorMittal steelworks in Cleveland. He also sees how hard his mother, Sue, a former college swimmer, works at an accounting firm.

"I think I was born that way," he said.

Tomasello won at Fargo, as did St. Edward's Edgar Bright. Tomasello won six of his eight matches by technical fall and captured the Junior 112-pound title. Bright was the Cadet 125-pound champ.

"Winning Fargo meant more to me than any other thing I've accomplished," Tomasello said. "How hard I've had to work to win that kind of tournament was unbelievable."

Tomasello said he's taking it easy for a couple of weeks now so his body can heal and recover. He even promised to visit the beach.

But it won't be long before he's "full-go" for another state title, another Fargo title, and then quite likely wrestling at Junior Worlds next year.

"I want to train to be the best," he said.

On Twitter: @TimsTakePD

Shin-Soo Choo goes 0-2 in first rehab start at Lake County: Indians Insider

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Choo played six innings, grounded out weakly to second and took a called third strike in two plate appearances. Meanwhile, Carlos Carrasco goes on DL with elbow issues.

choo-gloves-atbat-vert-cc.jpgView full sizeShin-Soo Choo went hitless in his first rehab game at Lake County, but is eager to help the Indians down the stretch of the 2011 season.

EASTLAKE, Ohio -- On the eve of the Indians' big three-game home series with Detroit, attention shifted temporarily 18 miles east, to a man and his thumb.

Shin-Soo Choo, on the disabled list since breaking his left thumb after being hit by a pitch on June 24 in San Francisco, made his first rehab appearance Monday with the Lake County Captains. Choo played six innings, grounded out weakly to second and took a called third strike in two plate appearances. In the field, he flagged down a long fly to the fence in right.

Choo said he was a little nervous and his timing is a little off, but otherwise felt comfortable at the plate and felt no pain. He hasn't heard from the Indians about when he might rejoin the club.

"I really want to play. The next six games against Detroit and Minnesota are big series I really want to play," he said. "My body's ready, but I'll see more pitches here, make sure everything feels good."

At the time of his injury, Choo was batting .244 with 10 doubles, two triples, five homers, 28 RBI and 11 stolen bases in 72 games.

Choo batted third and wore number 25 instead of his usual 17. Fans at Classic Park greeted him with the familiar "Chooooo" as he stepped to the plate each time.

Facing Dayton Dragons left-hander Mitch Clarke, Choo swung at the first pitch of his first at-bat, bouncing it foul past first, then took a called strike on the outside corner. On an 0-2 count, he sent a weak chopper to second and was thrown out by a step.

In the top of the second, Choo, who turned 29 last month, chased down a long sacrifice fly to the fence.

Choo's second plate appearance came with the Captains down, 3-0, in the fourth. He was called out on strikes on a 1-2 fastball, looked back at the umpire and gave his bat a little kick as he walked back to the dugout.

Before his injury, Choo's batting average had climbed 13 points in 10 days -- suggesting he might be regaining his form from 2010 and 2009, in which he hit .300 and at least 20 homers each season. He once called 2010 "the greatest year in my life."

This year? Not so great.

The thumb required six screws to stabilize. It's scarred and discolored.

Besides the batting slump and injury, he was fined $775 and had his driver's license suspended for 180 days late last month for driving drunk on May 2 in Sheffield Lake.

The Captains were three-hit and lost 3-0. But Choo's appearance bumped attendance to 6,105, compared to 4,500 to 5,000 for a typical Monday "Buck Night" promotion.

Elbow sidelines Carrasco: The Indians placed starter Carlos Carrasco on the 15-day disabled list Monday with inflammation in his right elbow, temporarily voiding his six-game suspension for throwing at Kansas City’s Billy Butler.

Carrasco was suspended for six games on Aug. 1 for throwing at Butler’s head in a July 30 game. Carrasco intended to serve his ban following his Aug. 3 start against Boston. However, Carrasco felt discomfort in his elbow after facing the Red Sox, according to an Indians release.

The Indians also reinstated third baseman Jack Hannahan from the paternity list. Hannahan was not with the Indians for their three-game weekend series in Texas, staying with his wife for the birth of the couple’s first child.

Carrasco’s injury leaves the Indians without a starter for Saturday’s home game against Minnesota. The most likely candidate is left-hander David Huff, who is 1-1 with a 0.51 ERA in three starts.

By the numbers: With the Tigers and Indians opening a big three-game series, here are some numbers and facts to remember:

• The Tigers have lost 11 straight at Progressive Field.

• The Indians and Tigers will play each other 12 times, six in August, six in September. They will end the season with a three-game series at Progressive Field starting Sept. 26.

• Tigers GM Dave Dombrowski and manager Jim Leyland had their contracts extended on Monday. Until then, they'd been working in the final year of their contracts.

Dombrowski's deal was extended for four years and Leyland was signed through 2012. Could it be a coincidence that the extensions were announced the day before the Tigers try to extend their four-game lead?

• In case you're wondering, manager Manny Acta is signed through 2012 with a club option for 2013.

Date with destiny: After going 3-4 on a trip against Boston and Texas, Acta said the Indians were going home to "take care of their own destiny."

The Indians will play 39 of their remaining 50 games in the own division. They are 16-18 in the AL Central and will need to go on quite a run to make the postseason.

"The schedule is mapped out for us to make any kind of run we want to," said rookie second baseman Jason Kipnis. "We can be 10 down or 10 up by the end of the season."

Closer Chris Perez said this series with the Tigers is important, but not in a sweep-or-go-home sense.

"We play them a lot," he said. "We just need to stay close, within striking distance, and not let this thing get too far out of reach for us. We've still got a lot of games left with them.

"This series at home is going to be huge. We've got our horses lined up."

The Indians are starting Justin Masterson, newcomer Ubaldo Jimenez and Fausto Carmona against the Tigers.

Added reliever Joe Smith, "If we take care of business when we get home, we'll be all right come September and, hopefully, make it a race down to the end."

The next 12 games are in the AL Central, six against the Tigers, three against the Twins and three against the White Sox.

Testing, testing: The Tigers gave former Indians catcher Victor Martinez the day off Sunday after he sprained his left knee Saturday against Kansas City trying to avoid a tag at the plate. With Monday's open date, there's a chance Martinez will be in Detroit's lineup during the series.

Sign here: The Indians have signed 14th round pick Cody Anderson, a right-hander from Feather River (Calif.) Community College, and 38th round pick shortstop Yhoxian Medina, who just completed his sophomore season at Southeastern (Iowa) Community College. Teams have until midnight Aug. 15 to sign their draft picks.

Staff writer Paul Hoynes contributed to this report.

Feller to Score to Young a fan's legendary trifecta: Cleveland Indians memories

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Here is Tuesday's essay by Sandy Singer of Orange

cy-young-porch-horiz.jpgView full sizeA chance encounter with the legendary Cy Young is a memory to cherish for long-time Indians fan Sandy Singer.

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

My most unforgettable day at an Indians game was at Municipal Stadium on May 1, 1955, when I paid $2.25 for a box seat and attended a doubleheader between the Indians and the Boston Red Sox. I came early to watch batting practice and looked forward to seeing the veteran Bob Feller and the rookie sensation Herb Score pitch. Who needs YouTube? I can play this day back in my mind whenever I wish.

The first game was pitched by Feller, whose bid for a fourth no-hitter was lost when catcher Sammy White singled in the seventh inning. The one-hitter was one of the last four games Feller would win in his career.

The second game was pitched by Score, who struck out 16 Red Sox on his way to setting a season record for rookie pitchers with 245 strikeouts. For a budding young pitcher like me, to see two games like this in one afternoon with a certain Hall of Famer and a potential one was beyond my wildest dreams.

Yet, the best was yet to come.

After the game, as was my wont, I waited in the parking lot for autographs. I noted there was an elderly gentleman standing by his car with the license plate "511" signing autographs. It was then that I got to meet Cy Young, who had come up from his home in Newcomerstown, Ohio, to see the games.

I have been to many games since that day, having seen two All-Star Games at Municipal Stadium and playoff and World Series games at Jacobs Field. I am now 70 years old but will never forget my May 1 trifecta.

Former Ohio State QB Terrelle Pryor still hoping he's allowed in looming NFL supplemental draft

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Reports say the NFL will hold its supplemental draft on Aug. 17, but Pryor is still awaiting official word that he can be part of it.

Terrelle PryorTerrelle Pryor

COLUMBUS, Ohio - The NFL is preparing for the supplemental draft, reportedly on Aug. 17. Terrelle Pryor is preparing for the supplemental draft.

But we still don't know if that supplemental draft will include the former Ohio State quarterback.

Pryor wrote on his Twitter account Monday night, "Hopefully considered in on August 17th draft!!"

I still can't imagine the NFL taking enough of a hardline stance on Pryor's ineligibility at Ohio State, and his eligibility for the supplemental draft, that the NFL would keep Pryor out of the league for a year when his college career clearly took an odd turn in the last six months.

We know the league can't have players exploiting the system. But when Pryor would have needed to declare for the regular draft in January, he had signed a promise to Jim Tressel that he'd return for his senior year, the Tressel emails had not yet been discovered that eventually led to Tressel's downfall, further allegations of NCAA violations hadn't been made against Pryor and he hadn't refused to talk to the NCAA, which Ohio State has said would have rendered him ineligible for the entire year.

Heck, new coach Luke Fickell not returning Pryor's attempt to contact him, while Fickell was at a Taylor Swift concert, could be part of Pryor's argument. Maybe he wasn't technically kicked off the team, but your coach not calling you back is something.

And what if Pryor is not allowed in?

He's not a free agent. He MUST go through a draft first. The NFL would be telling him he can't play in the league until he is draft eligible in April of 2012.

The Canadian Football League? Pryor already turned down an offer there, and the CFL is already through with six weeks of its 19-week regular-season schedule.

The United Football League? The league is supposedly planning a September start of its season, but that may not happen.

So what would be left for Pryor?

It certainly seems like it may be something that wouldn't be the worst thing in the world for the quarterback.

How about something like intensive quarterback workouts for the next four months, and then by early January Pryor would be in the same place he would have been if he had played this season for Ohio State.

I still think he'll be in. But until the NFL makes it official, some question remains.
 

Marcus Benard bulked up, but team wants him to slim down: Browns Insider

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Marcus Benard thought he was doing the right thing when he packed on a few pounds in the off-season to jumpstart his switch to 4-3 defensive end in the Browns’ new defensive scheme.

benard_browns.jpgBrowns defensive ends Marcus Benard, left, and Brian Schaefering kid around during practice at the NFL football team's training camp.

BEREA -- Marcus Benard thought he was doing the right thing when he packed on a few pounds in the off-season to jumpstart his switch to 4-3 defensive end in the Browns’ new defensive scheme.

The coaches disagree.

Benard has been told to shed the weight he added. Neither the club nor Benard will say how much. Benard’s playing weight as an outside linebacker last year was 256. He’s close to 25 pounds heavier now, said a source.

“He’s got a long way to go physically in terms of getting himself, in my opinion, in the kind of shape and condition he needs to be in to compete,” said coach Pat Shurmur. “So he’s working through that. He’s out there taking reps. But I think he’ll agree, and he’ll pro bab ly tell you he’s got to make some strides there.”

Benard left Saturday’s practice with a hurt knee but was back on the field Monday.

“I do see the wisdom [in losing weight],” Benard said. “I’m a pass rusher, and speed and quickness are my attributes, so definitely being lighter always helps. I can definitely be lighter.”

This is a case of the owners’ lockout hurting a player. During the 41⁄2 months NFL business was shut down, coaches were not allowed to communicate with their players. Benard was never able to receive the message, “Come back the way you are.” He thought bigger was better.

Asked how much he needs to lose, he said, “I just want to be the old me.”

Despite leading the Browns last year with 71⁄2 sacks and compiling 11 in only 21 games in two years of spot duty, Benard said: “I’ve done nothing, nothing. My expectations, my goals, are way bigger.”

So he’ll have no trouble staying hungry, and that’s the way the Browns want him.

Pasta-fed linemen: They make ’em big in the Mahoning Valley, don’t they? Three players competing for backup spots on the offensive line played high school football in the Youngstown area. They are tackle Branndon Braxton (Youngstown Ursuline) and guards John Greco (Boardman) and Steve Vallos (Boardman).

Greco (guard, tackle) and Vallos (guard, center) can play two positions, which always improves a lineman’s chances of sticking. Braxton plays only tackle, but he has backed up the starters on the left and right side.

“It’s important that you try to either develop a tackle to be here or if you don’t have that, then you do something to go get one,” Shurmur said of Braxton. “He has that body type, and we feel like the best position for him to make this team is tackle. I don’t think that hurts his chances.”

Coming soon: Browns President Mike Holmgren said on SportsTime Ohio that the club was hoping to get receiver Mohamed Massaquoi back on the field next week. Massaquoi still has a cast on his left foot. A source said he suffered a chip fracture on the foot before camp, but nobody is saying how or when. . . . Running back Montario Hardesty (knee) was still held out — “part of the plan,” Shurmur said. The coach speculated over the weekend Hardesty might get in some work this week. Nobody’s ruled him out of the Saturday game against Green Bay, but it would appear extremely doubtful.

Tidbits: Three drops for rookie receiver Greg Little on Monday. Had more than that on Thursday. In between were two good days catching. “He needs to be consistent and play at a high level every day. At times, he needs to catch it better,” Shurmur said. . . . Coaches are sensitive about suggestions that they’re devoting less time to special teams than the previous regime, but it’s evident. There are two periods of special teams in the regular practice, and a lot of the walkthrough in the afternoon is spent on the kicking game. Ray Ventrone, one of the core players on special teams, said every coach does it differently. “In the past, all the OTAs were used for the teaching and you’d use camp to get six kickoff reps. You don’t need to run down six times on kickoffs. I mean, there’s less time for everything,” he said. Part of it is due to the time crunch imposed by new practice time limits. . .. Linebacker Kaluka Maiava is ecstatic to be back on the field after missing the last 14 games last year with a ligament tear. He’s also happy to be playing the WILL linebacker spot (weak side) in the 4-3, the position he played at Southern California. Maiava spent a lot of time with the first team Monday after starter Chris Gocong suffered a neck stinger. . . . Shurmur said he would disclose playing time plans for starters in the preseason opener Saturday later in the week, but he didn’t expect to add significantly to the norm.

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

On Twitter: @TonyGrossi

Cleveland Indians: Does the Tribe's season come down to this series? Poll

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Is it do or die for the Indians in this three-game series against the Detroit Tigers?

justin-masterson.jpgJustin Masterson

The Cleveland Indians begin a three-game series against the Detroit Tigers today. The Indians are four-games behind the first-place Tigers in the Central Division.

So does the Tribe's season come down to this all-important series despite having 50 more games to play in the regular season? Or will the season come down to the three-game series at Detroit next weekend?

The Indians also play the Tigers six times in September.

Either way, the Tribe can't afford to get too far behind the Tigers if they want to make a run at the postseason.

 







Browns Training Camp: Twitter updates from Tuesday's practice

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The Browns resume preparations for the preseason opener against the Green Bay Packers at the stadium on Saturday with a morning practice in Berea. Can't make it there? Read live tweets below from Plain Dealer Browns beat reporters TonyGrossi and Mary Kay Cabot.

Browns Training Camp, Day 10Browns President Mike Holmgren talks with quarterback Colt McCoy during training camp in Berea.

The Browns resume preparations for the preseason opener against the Green Bay Packers at the stadium on Saturday with a morning practice in Berea. Can't make it there? Read live tweets below from Plain Dealer Browns beat reporters @TonyGrossi and @Mary Kay Cabot as they describe the action on the practice field, fill you in on the latest news and post photos and more from 76 Lou Groza Blvd.

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

See more photos from training camp or post your own

Watch videos from Berea

Super Bowl ring won't diminish Brandon Jackson's desire to improve the Browns


Cleveland Browns will attend Terrelle Pryor's Pro Day Friday, source says

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The Browns will attend Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor's Pro Day on Friday, a league source told the Plain Dealer.

pryor-portrait-prac-horiz-sugar-ap.jpgThe Browns will attend former OSU QB Terrelle Pryor's Pro Day on Friday, a league source said.

CLEVELAND -- The Browns will attend former Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor's Pro Day on Friday, a league source told the Plain Dealer.

Pryor, who is hoping to be declared eligible for the Aug. 17 supplemental draft, will conduct the workout in the Pittsburgh area where he's from, according to Len Pasquerelli of SportsXchange.

It's not yet known which of the Browns representatives will attend the workout. Will they send a heavy hitter such as team president Mike Holmgren or general manager Tom Heckert? A scout? A coach? Friday is a no-practice day for the Browns because they host the Packers Saturday night in the preseason opener.  

The Browns have done their due diligence on Pryor to determine whether or not they want to bid on him in the special-case draft. Teams submit bids based on the draft round in which they'd be willing to select the player. The winning team must surrender that pick in next year's draft.

Many experts think Pryor is a mid-round pick, but his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, has been touting him as a first-rounder.

Holmgren colleague Jon Gruden, who worked  with Pryor for an ESPN special, has said Pryor's got freakish ability and projects him as NFL quarterback. Other experts see him at another position such as tight end.

The Browns currently have four quarterbacks on their roster: Colt McCoy, Seneca Wallace, Jarrett Brown of West Virginia and Troy Weatherhead of Hillsdale. Brown, a first-year player, has a rocket arm and has had a nice camp.

 

  

Cleveland Indians A.M. Links: Important series; Tigers and Tribe; Preview of tonight's game

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A key series between the Tribe and Tigers starts tonight.

jim leyland.jpgTigers manager Jim Leyland.

The most important series of the season for the Tribe starts tonight against the Detroit Tigers. Can the Tribe actually afford to lose two or more games in this series if they want to win the division?

Of course they can, especially since they play the Tigers nine more times after this three-game series, but why dig yourself into a bigger hole? The Indians are four games out of first place in the Central.

The race is on.

MLB.com reporter Jason Beck writes how the Tigers and the Indians have started to watch each other with a close eye.

Tigers manager Jim Leyland is impressed with the Indians. He was especially impressed with their series against the Rangers.

"They looked like they let one get away, and in the ninth inning, they battled their tails off. I'll tell you what, they're not going away. We're going to have to beat them, to hold our own and beat them in some games. Because they're not going away. They've shown me something."

The feeling is the same on the other side, writes Beck.

"We're definitely aware of it," Indians closer Chris Perez said. "I mean, we're not going out there putting more pressure on ourselves if we know they won or not. We've still got 50 games left, and we play them a lot, too. We just need to stay close, within striking distance, and not let this thing get too far out of reach for us."

  

Tigers vs. Indians

News Herald reporter Jim Ingraham does't sound like he's impressed with the Tribe being four games out of first place behind the Detroit Tigers.

Why?

Because he writes since May 23, the Indians’ record is 26-41. And a victory tonight will put them three games out of first place.

Only in America.

It’s the Indians vs. the Tigers on Tuesday at Progressive Field. ESPN’s cameras will be nowhere in sight. It’s the first of the 12 games remaining between the two teams as they jockey for bragging rights in the division that is nothing to brag about.

If baseball divisions were U.S. presidents, the American League  Central Division would be Millard Fillmore.

Every team in the division has been outscored by their opponents this year. The Tigers have been outscored by the fewest (a differential of minus-6), so they, naturally, are in first place.

 

Tigers/Indians preview

Here's another preview of the Tigers/Indians series . . . Winning and a boost in attendance means new contracts for Tigers' brass.

 

  

Justin Masterson the Tribe's ace - Indians Comment of the Day

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"Don't be so quick to anoint Ubaldo as the ace. The fans that have been following this team all year know that Masterson is the No. 1 on this staff. I'm hoping Jimenez pitches lights out the rest of the way, but if I needed to choose one pitcher on this team to take the ball in a do or die game, it's Masterson." - cunxtyr

Cleveland Indians lose to Twins, 3-2View full sizeJustin Masterson has developed into the Indians' top starter in 2011.

In response to the story Cleveland Indians' Justin Masterson doesn't let runs or wins (or the lack of both) diminish his smile, cleveland.com reader cunxtyr thinks Justin Masterson is the Tribe's ace. This reader writes,

"Don't be so quick to anoint Ubaldo as the ace. The fans that have been following this team all year know that Masterson is the No. 1 on this staff. I'm hoping Jimenez pitches lights out the rest of the way, but if I needed to choose one pitcher on this team to take the ball in a do or die game, it's Masterson."

To respond to cunxtyr's comment, go here.

For more comments of the day, go to blog.cleveland.com/comments-of-the-day.

Adding big-name free agents wouldn't help much - Browns Comment of the Day

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"The reason the Browns aren't signing any big name free agents is simple and logical - they could add three or four proven players this year and still be a non-factor in the AFC North. That's why they didn't take Julio Jones and traded down to obtain more high picks. Spending money arbitrarily is not the answer. Build the team from within first, then branch out." - knight0024

holmgren-shurmur-heckert.jpgView full sizeThe braintrust of the Browns has remained fairly quiet in free agency this offseason.

In response to the story Browns Training Camp: Twitter updates from Tuesday's practice, cleveland.com reader knights0024 doesn't think a big name free agent would make much of a difference for the Browns this year. This reader writes,

"The reason the Browns aren't signing any big name free agents is simple and logical - they could add three or four proven players this year and still be a non-factor in the AFC North. That's why they didn't take Julio Jones and traded down to obtain more high picks. Spending money arbitrarily is not the answer. Build the team from within first, then branch out."

To respond to knights0024's comment, go here.

For more comments of the day, go to blog.cleveland.com/comments-of-the-day.

NBA lockout: Damon Jones, "The Best Shooter in the World," chimes in

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Former Cleveland Cavaliers guard Damon Jones returns to Cleveland for summer league game. Watch video

Some things change, but some things remain the same and that was on display on Monday night during the Chris Chambers Fun Game Classic at The Word Church in Warrensville.


Miami Heat forward LeBron James and former Cleveland Cavaliers guard Damon Jones joined the Akron team for its semifinal playoff game.


And you'll be surprised which former Cavaliers player got the most jeers. Check out that blog at noon.


Jones, who once claimed he was the best shooter in the world, shot jumpers (unofficially 2-for-9 from the field) and reminded the crowd that he is still number one.


Jones, who has not played in the NBA since the 2008-09 season, talked about the similarities between this lockout and the one he experienced during the 1998-99 season. Jones also talked about the possibilities of the no games for the entire 2011-12 season.

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