The NCAA sounds like it wants to get more serious about violations, but Ohio State's hearing before the Committee on Infractions today should be decided by the facts at hand.

Marvin Fong, The Plain DealerFormer Ohio State football coach Jim Tressel will be in Indianapolis on Friday for Ohio State's hearing before the NCAA's Committee on Infractions.

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Reform will be in the air as Ohio State's seven-person athletic department contingent enters an Indianapolis hotel conference this morning for the school's hearing before the NCAA's Committee on Infractions. During a two-day summit this week, also in Indianapolis, more than 60 NCAA leaders talked about changing the face of college athletics, with "integrity" one of their primary focuses.

It sounds like it might not be a great time for Ohio State and former coach Jim Tressel to be ready to face their punishments.

But when the door closes around 8:30 a.m. and the hearing begins, what's in the air shouldn't matter. The 10-member committee will decide Ohio State's sanctions based on the evidence the NCAA enforcement staff provided and the words of the OSU administrators.

"You focus on the record and the people in front of you," a former committee member said. "You do not have in mind outside agendas or talk about summits or even media reports. You build a box around your head and keep that stuff out."

"You don't go into a hearing weekend thinking, 'Oh, we're going to get them this time,' " said former committee member Andrea Myers, the retired athletic director at Indiana State. "I didn't ever intentionally think about any outside things or what was going on nationally. I can't tell you nothing ever affected me, but if it did, it wasn't by choice."

Ohio State, led by President Gordon Gee, Athletic Director Gene Smith and current football coach Luke Fickell, will attempt to convince the committee that the penalties the school self-imposed in July should be enough -- two years of probation and the vacating of the 2010 Big Ten title season. Tressel will admit to his unethical conduct violations, for not divulging his knowledge of players selling memorabilia and autographs, and attempt to avoid a show-cause penalty that would make it more difficult for him to take another coaching job in the near future, if he so desires.

After a hearing, the committee, made up of conference commissioners, university faculty members and independent attorneys, typically meets through the weekend as a group, going over the case and making final assessments. So by Monday, Ohio State's fate should be decided.

But it won't be known for about six weeks, as a committee member is assigned to write the report, which other members then examine and edit before it is released.

Certainly, Ohio State could face additional penalties when that final decision is announced. But given the nature of the allegations, and the precedent of previous cases, a bowl ban is unlikely though a reduction of some scholarships is possible.

What this hearing should not do is serve as the NCAA's moment to draw a line in the sand and say enough is enough. The NCAA summit, which included 50 university presidents, talked about implementing uniform, and more serious penalties for certain charges. But that hasn't happened yet.

Ohio State has a popular, wealthy football program that committed serious violations, but don't expect Ohio State to be used as an example to let the rest of the NCAA know that the system in changing.

"Facts are stubborn things," Big Ten Commissioner Jim Delany, himself a former enforcement staff member, said at the league meetings last month. "They're more malleable for some people, but in the court, an administrative hearing, facts matter, findings matter.

"Generally speaking, the outcomes that the committee gives are rational on that day. They hear evidence. They look at prior cases. . . . I don't fear that the infractions committee is going to be any more difficult this summer than they were last summer or the summer before."

In looking at recent cases, the committee will find five instances in the past 10 years in which major college football programs were given postseason bans of one or two years. In three instances, the schools were hit with a lack of institutional control charge, an indictment of an entire program that schools want to avoid. Ohio State was not labeled with that charge by the enforcement staff, though the committee has the right to add that. In the other two instances, the schools were charged with major recruiting violations that angered the committee because of their severity.

Though Tressel's cover-up is serious business, the infractions that started this case, the players and the tattoo parlor, are not as major.

There is plenty to consider, though. Myers said she typically spent three or four weekends preparing for a case, reading all the evidence at hand. For a case like Ohio State's, she said probably boxes of information, with the documents in the thousands, were provided to committee members.

That's a lot to consider. It doesn't leave much room for checking which way the winds of reform might be blowing.

Under the watchful eye of Mike Vrabel, Storm Klein and Etienne Sabino are battling to be the second Ohio State linebacker that stays on the field in every defense.

View full sizeJeff Hinckley, Columbus DispatchSenior linebacker Andrew Sweat (42) figures to get a lot of action for the Buckeyes this fall.

INDIANAPOLIS — Ohio State junior Storm Klein was lined up at middle linebacker this week, running with the first-team defense and glad to be healthy after a spring lost to a nagging hamstring injury. And then here came Mike Vrabel, jumping practically into the play to guide Klein toward the area he wanted him to attack.

"He's like, 'If you guys don't hit them, I will. I'll throw on the pads and go,' " Klein said, admitting the first-year OSU linebackers coach still talks about playing the game. "He's like, 'I can give you two plays.' "

Vrabel would rather see Klein give the Buckeyes a lot more plays. Vrabel, just retired from the NFL, is overseeing one of the more important and interesting battles on the OSU defense, as Klein and junior Etienne Sabino compete for the right to stay on the field. In a linebacker group thinned by transfers, both are expected to start. It looks for now like Klein will be the middle linebacker, calling the signals in the base defense, while Sabino lines up as the strongside linebacker.

What matters more is who proves himself worthy of being the second linebacker to stay on the field, along with weakside linebacker and senior Andrew Sweat, when Ohio State frequently goes to its nickel defense. The difference could mean almost twice as many snaps for one linebacker.

"The best players are going to play," Klein said.

And is he one of them?

"I hope so. I'm going to work my butt off," Klein said.

So far through four practices, Klein and Sabino have both stayed on the field with Sweat at different times. The competition is familiar for Sabino. A year ago, he lost out to Sweat in the battle at strongside linebacker and as a result, was asked to redshirt to save a year of eligibility. So while Klein fought his hamstring, Sabino is coming off not playing in a game since 2009.

While it looks like Klein may have locked down the middle linebacker job in the base defense, the nickel competition goes on. And if the players aren't careful, Vrabel may try to steal the spot himself.

"He was fired up trying to get on the field, and we were like, 'You've got to end that, it's over,' " Sabino said with a laugh. "But I like him a lot, and we're going to have a lot of fun this year."

Nothing is more fun than being on the field.

Miller learns four: After the fourth practice of camp, freshman quarterback Braxton Miller told reporters Thursday he's been learning four plays a day. Speaking before camp started, Miller said he knew the OSU running plays pretty well but was still working on the pass plays. In a four-way battle at his position, he knows he has to get the playbook down if he wants to play.

"I work on that day," Miller said of his four-play plan. "And then I've got to take it back to the hotel and just work on it at the hotel, too."

Fickell's plan: OSU head coach Luke Fickell is required to be at today's NCAA hearing in Indianapolis though he isn't charged with violating NCAA rules.

"I hope I don't have to say anything," Fickell said of his role at the hearing. "You know, it's not going to be about me. I don't know that I've been told a whole lot that I will have to say. I don't know. I guess it'll be interesting how the process and everything goes."

His plan is to take part in the session and fly back to Columbus in time for practice, which has been pushed back to 3:30 p.m. on the first day the Buckeyes will be wearing full pads.

"Happiness will be getting back here because I'm excited about practice in full pads," Fickell said. "That's probably to me the most important thing. I haven't thought a whole lot about it. Again, where my focus is is here on these guys and on that football field and what we need to do to be prepared."

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: dlesmerises@plaind.com, 216-999-4479

When the Tigers came to town, so did the pennant race, and the Indians are right in the middle of it.

View full sizeChuck Crow, The Plain DealerFausto Carmona has been pitching better the past few weeks, and if he can keep it up, it gives the Indians a formidable rotation heading into the stretch.

CLEVELAND, Ohio — Yes, the Indians lost, 4-3, to Detroit at Progressive Field on Thursday night.

But didn't you come away encouraged from this series with the Tigers? Do you agree with Indians manager Manny Acta, who said his team "has no fear" of Detroit?

Can it really be two weeks into the month of August and the Indians are only three games behind Detroit in the American League Central Division?

You can argue that their record is 58-57, and they'd be nowhere without their 30-15 start. I'd insist that good starts are critical to a young team such as the Indians. It's how a midmarket team such as the Tribe puts itself in position to contend. A quick bolt from the gate leads the team to take on extra money, as they did with starting pitcher Ubaldo Jimenez, rather than trade off their veterans for prospects.

The fact is the Indians just took two of three from the Tigers. They are 6-3 vs. Detroit this season. And the Tigers have had a winning record in the second half of a season only once since 1991.

In the Motor City, they worry about the Tigers stalling. After all, they were in first place at the All-Star break in four of the last five seasons -- reaching the playoffs only in 2006.

Consider what happened Thursday night. Heading into the bottom of the second, the Tigers had a 4-0 lead. They had Justin Verlander -- only an injury will keep him out of Cooperstown -- on the mound. Coming into the game, Verlander was 13-2 in his previous 17 starts -- averaging 117 pitches per game! He was going for his 100th career victory -- at the age of 28.

It seemed over.

It seemed over because in most games, you don't even think about beating Verlander. You just hope he doesn't throw a no-hitter against your team.

It almost seemed over in the first inning. There was a high throw by Indians third baseman Lonnie Chisenhall and a poor effort to snag it by Carlos Santana at first base. That led to a dugout confrontation. Shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera told Santana that he expected more from Santana with the glove.

With Orlando Cabrera gone, Asdrubal Cabrera is the captain of this infield. He's acting like it. Acta loved the sparks flying between his two young players -- he wants that peer pressure and he's challenged Cabrera to be a leader.

Following his consultation with Cabrera, Santana hit his 18th homer in the second inning.

And Cabrera delivered a two-run double in the third, making it a 4-3 game.

Carmona settled down after giving up the four runs, throwing five scoreless innings.

Here's some very good news: Since coming off the disabled list, Carmona has a 2.85 ERA in his past six starts. With Carmona, Jimenez and Justin Masterson, the Indians have a big three capable of matching up with the front of the Tigers rotation.

In this series, the Indians beat the Tigers, 3-2, in 14 innings. They did it with the bullpen throwing a dozen zeroes on the scoreboard. The winning run came when Kosuke Fukodome was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded at about 2 a.m. He had fanned four times, was 0-for-5, and simply took one for the team on an inside pitch.

It was a savvy move.

In the second game, the Indians needed big game from Jimenez, who threw 117 pitches, holding the Tigers to three runs in eight innings as the Tribe won, 10-3. Rookie Jason Kipnis had five hits.

So here it is, the middle of August and Indians are contenders. Who would have dared to dream that when the season opened on April 1, especially when the Tribe was down, 14-0, after four innings, that a .500 record at this point would be possible?

But even in this loss, the Indians looked like a team that believes it can stay on the Tigers' tail all year, perhaps right up to the season's final game at Detroit on Sept. 28.

Terry Pluto: terrypluto.com

Facebook: facebook.com/terrypluto

The Plain Dealer is working on a story about Joe Haden's presence in the community and his relationship with fans. Have you spotted Haden around town and snapped a photo? We want to include in the story.

In just over a year, Browns cornerback Joe Haden has become a favorite among Cleveland fans.

It started with his impressive rookie season, then continued as he showed up at several Cavaliers and Indians games in full uniform. He is constantly engaging fans on Twitter and even invited his followers to join him for a free lunch at Sushi Rock back in June.

The Plain Dealer is working on a story about Joe Haden's presence in the community and his relationship with fans. Have you spotted Haden around town and snapped a photo? If so, we want to include it in the story.

Follow the directions carefully below to submit your photo of Joe Haden in the community. You can also email the photo to sports@cleveland.com.

1. Find Joe Haden. Snap a photo with him. Or find a photo with him you've already taken. 

2. Make sure the file size of the photo is no more than 3 MB. IMPORTANT: if the photo is too large, you will get an error message and have to start the upload process all over. If the photo is rejected for being too large, you can reduce file size by adjusting the image to about 1000 pixels wide.

3. Sign-in to your cleveland.com profile or get a new one here

4. Start the upload process by going to this page: photos.cleveland.com/photogallery/upload.html

5. Fill out all the form fields:

Image title: Briefly tell everyone what your photo is.

Caption: Your name, community, who is in it, when it was taken, etc.

Tags: List the location, city, event and other things relevant to your photo. Separate tags with commas (For example: cleveland browns, joe haden).

6. On the last line, choose the "Joe Haden in the community" gallery (near the very bottom of the drop-down box)

7. If you would like to add another image, hit "add another image"

Here's a sample of what your form should look like:

IMPORTANT: Be sure all the information is correct. You will not be able to edit any of the information after you upload the photo(s).

8. Hit the upload button to complete the process

9. Check out your photo and others uploaded by fans by going here

You can also e-mail us your photos to sports@cleveland.com or by using the 'submit photo' button on the cleveland.com iPhone or Android app.

By submitting a photo(s), you agree to the terms of cleveland.com's user agreement and confirm that you've read cleveland.com's privacy policy.

The hearing before the Committee on Infractions started at 8:30 and is expected to last into mid-afternoon. Watch video

INDIANAPOLIS - Ohio State's hearing with the NCAA Committee on Infractions began at 8:30 this morning. It's expected to last for several hours, with estimates that it could be finished between 2 p.m. and 3 p.m.

The hearing is taking place in the Indiana conference room at the downtown Marriott in Indianapolis. The room is about 75 feet by 75 feet, with long tables arranged to face each other in a square. There are 38 individual microphones set up at the chairs around the room and a speaker system. And there's coffee in the corner.

APJim Tressel

The committee is a 10-member body of faculty representatives, conference commissioners and independent lawyers that will question both Ohio State officials and former coach Jim Tressel about their NCAA violations.
 
Tressel arrived with his lawyers around 8:10 this morning, while the OSU officials arrived between 7 a.m. and 8 a.m., most greeting reporters gathered in a hallway with a polite "Good morning."

The committee members should continue to meet through the weekend and reach a decision regarding these violations with Tressel and Ohio State. But it then takes weeks to write and edit the report on the decision, so no announcement of a decision should be made for about six weeks.

Ohio State has self-imposed penalties that include vacating the 2010 Big Ten title season and two years of probation. The NCAA could add additional penalties, which might include minor scholarship reductions. It seems unlikely that the school would face a bowl ban.

This may not be the end, today. The NCAA is still investigating some aspects of the program. If more alleged violations are found, which hasn't happened at this point, Ohio State could face another infractions hearing in the future.

"Give credit where it's due. Mangini was the driving force behind the Hillis deal from Denver. I'm not trying to defend Mangini, but facts are facts." - datos

View full sizeJohn Kuntz | The Plain DealerFormer Browns head coach Eric Mangini was one of the driving forces behind the team's acquisition of Peyton Hillis last offseason.

In response to the story Cleveland Browns' Peyton Hillis is one of the team's most popular players, and it's easy to see why, cleveland.com reader datos thinks Eric Mangini deserves credit for Hillis. This reader writes,

"Give credit where it's due. Mangini was the driving force behind the Hillis deal from Denver. I'm not trying to defend Mangini, but facts are facts."

APCleveland Browns quarterback Colt McCoy (12) runs from pressure. Cleveland Browns quarterback Colt McCoy is receiving quite a bit of national media attention lately, and the attention is deserved and quite interesting. For example, a recent article in The Dallas Morning News tabulated McCoy's record as a starting quarterback, dating to his days in middle school, he has won 109 of his 126 starts. Which...

APCleveland Browns quarterback Colt McCoy (12) runs from pressure.

Cleveland Browns quarterback Colt McCoy is receiving quite a bit of national media attention lately, and the attention is deserved and quite interesting.

For example, a recent article in The Dallas Morning News tabulated McCoy's record as a starting quarterback, dating to his days in middle school, he has won 109 of his 126 starts.

Which brings us to this article in The Los Angeles Times written by Sam Farmer who made a recent visit to Berea. Farmer noticed something buried deep in McCoy's locker.

Not videotape. A scrap of athletic tape.

Just as he did at the University of Texas, McCoy has adorned his locker with a three-letter word scrawled on a piece of adhesive: WIN.

"You win, you produce, you get to play for a long time and do what you love," McCoy said Thursday, easing back on a bench after practice.

How many yards will Peyton Hillis rush for this coming season?

John Kuntz / The Plain DealerCleveland Browns running back Peyton Hillis (40) scores a touchdown.

Cleveland Browns running back Peyton Hillis became one of the better running backs in the league last season when he rushed for 1,177 yards.

Hillis played so well and became so popular among fans that he now dons the cover of the Madden Football video game.

So now that he's Mr. Popular, there's no way Hillis will surprise any of the defenses this coming season. Since that's the case, how well will Hillis play this coming season?

"Biggest question now for the Tribe is whether they can find a way to play better against Minnesota and Chicago. Their current record against AL Central teams is not nearly good enough to win the division." - wahoorc

View full sizeAP Photo | Tony DejakJim Thome and the Twins visit Cleveland this weekend.

In response to the story Cleveland Indians showing some encouraging signs, even after a loss: Terry Pluto, cleveland.com reader wahoorc thinks games against the Twins and White Sox will be just as big as games against Detroit. This reader writes,

"Biggest question now for the Tribe is whether they can find a way to play better against Minnesota and Chicago. Their current record against AL Central teams is not nearly good enough to win the division."

"The problem is that we have no idea how badly this kid's knee has been injured. Maybe it's strained, but maybe he tore something that will require surgery. I know you can't predict these things, but this makes a bad trade look even worse." - Sorry, but you're wrong

View full sizeSue Ogrocki, APOmri Casspi.

In response to the story Cleveland Cavaliers forward Omri Casspi injures knee while training with Israeli basketball team, cleveland.com reader Sorry, but you're wrong is a little concerned about Casspi's injury. This reader writes,

"The problem is that we have no idea how badly this kid's knee has been injured. Maybe it's strained, but maybe he tore something that will require surgery. I know you can't predict these things, but this makes a bad trade look even worse."

Shin-Soo Choo was epected to miss eight to 10 weeks following surgery on his left thumb. He made it back ahead of schedule.

Associated PressShin-Soo Choo has been activated and will almost assuredly be in tonight's starting lineup when the Indians face the Twins.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Shin-Soo Choo said he was a fast healer. The Indians hope he's right.

Choo was activated from the disabled list Friday and veteran outfielder Austin Kearns was designated for assignment to make room. Choo suffered a broken left thumb when he was hit by a pitch on June 24 by San Francisco's Jonathan Sanchez. Dr. Thomas Graham performed surgery on June 28 at Cleveland Clinic, piecing the broken bone back together with the aid of a metal plate and several screws.

He was scheduled to be sidelined eight to 10 weeks, but he's made it back in seven. Choo began his rehab assignment Monday at Class A Lake County, but played only three games, with one of them being rained out.

After putting up impressive numbers in 2009 and 2010, Choo has struggled this season. He's hitting .244 (65-for-266) with 10 doubles, two triples, five homers and 28 RBI in 72 games. Choo was hitting .357 (10-for-28) in nine games leading up to his injury.

Choo will have the thumb taped and wear a protective cover over it when he plays. Earlier this week he said he had no problems throwing and didn't feel pain swinging the bat. Choo bats and throws left-handed.

"I'm a fast healer," said Choo, recently.

Look for Choo to start in right field tonight against the Twins, who come to town for a three-game series. Kosuke Fukudome has played well in right since being acquired from the Cubs before the July 31st trading deadline. With Grady Sizemore (right knee, hernia) still on the disabled list and Michael Brantley dealing with a sore right wrist, manager Manny Acta has had trouble all season putting his starting outfield on the field at the same time, but Choo's return is a step in the right direction.

Brantley, if he gets clearance from the Indians medical staff, could be in the lineup tonight. Sizemore is not epected back, if at all, until sometime in September.

Kearns becomes a casualty of Choo's return and the good play of Fukudome and Ezequiel Carrera. Kearns played well for the Indians in the first half of last season, before they traded him to the Yankees. Over the winter they re-signed him as a free agentfor $1.3 million.

However, Kearns had trouble adjusting to his role as a bench player and never really swung the bat well. He hit .200 (30-150) with two homers and seven RBI in 57 games. The Indians have 10 days to trade, release or try to get Kearns through waivers.

Choo is not the only big name returning to action for this series. Justin Morneau, Twins first baseman, will be activated Friday following a neck injury.

Plain Dealer Browns reporter talks about pass rusher, answers other fan questions in his weekly Hey, Tony! show. Watch video

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

Browns running back Peyton Hillis, arguably the most popular player on the team, is hoping to have another big season in 2011. What do you believe his numbers will be this season? That's the question in today's Starting Blocks poll.

Today's guest is Plain Dealer Browns reporter Tony Grossi, who answers fan questions from his weekly Hey, Tony! feature.

Tony has thoughts on what kind of numbers Hillis will post this season; as well as which position battles are the ones to watch; whether former Ohio State QB Terrelle Pryor is a possibility for the Browns; what RB Montario Hardesty has in store; and whether the Browns should be relying so much on starting defensive end Jayme Mitchell.

SBTV will return Monday. Have a great weekend!

Jim Thome could reach milestone on familiar ground.

AP photoJim Thome

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Former Cleveland Indians slugger Jim Thome, now with the Minnesota Twins, could reach 600 home runs during this homestand against the Tribe.

Thome is two homers away. It's not big deal to Thome if it happens in Cleveland instead of Minnesota, writes MLB.com reporter Nick Kosmider.

Thome, who enters Friday's series opener against the Indians with 598 homers, played in Cleveland for 12 seasons, and he has plenty of fond memories from his time with the Tribe.

"I have respect for them, especially because that's where I started," Thome said. "So that could be very, very cool as well. But I think just doing it would be very cool."

The Tribe hopes starter Justin Masterson is cool, because he's being moved up a day in the rotation after outing on Tuesday was limited to 37 pitches due to a rain delay.

"He'll be fine," said pitching coach Tim Belcher. "He threw 37 pitches, low stress, in two innings on Tuesday. It was kind of like an extended bullpen session for him. He's just a big horse. He could probably throw every third day and get by with it. I might make that suggestion."

Manager of the year

News-Herald reporter Jim Ingraham writes how Tribe manager Manny Acta is the favorite for Manager of the Year.

You don't think so? Here's the competition: Boston's Terry Francona, and the Yankees' Joe Girardi. And adds Ingraham:

Other managers whose teams could finish first this year — Detroit's Jim Leyland, Texas' Ron Washington and the Angels' Mike Scioscia — are all managing teams that were projected to be right where they are.

Game stories

Cleveland.com: Detroit slips past the Tribe.

Ohio.com: Indians fall short.

The News-Herald: Beat by heat.

CantonRep.com: Tigers stop Tribe.

MLB.com: Tempers flare in loss.

Lee Evans is traded from Buffalo to the Baltimore Ravens.

Wilfredo Lee/Associated PressLee Evans

Bedford High School graduate Lee Evans is now within the same division after the Buffalo Bills traded him to the Baltimore Ravens today.

SI.com reports that Baltimore sent a 2012 fourth-round pick to Buffalo for Evans, who’s signed through 2012 at $3.275 million per season.

Either way, the Ravens have to be happy to land Evans. SI’s Don Banks speculated after Baltimore’s 13-6 loss to Philadelphia Thursday that this move could be coming, citing rookie Torrey Smith’s subpar debut (no catches, three targets). Heading into that game, Smith had been penciled in as the starting WR opposite Anquan Boldin, with Brandon Jones, Marcus Smith and a cavalcade of no-names.

The Ravens were in need of a deep threat receiver and Evans fits the bill.

Brandon Jackson hopes to see plenty of action against his former team on Saturday.

The Plain DealerCleveland Browns running back Brandon Jackson runs by Scott Fujita.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Former Green Bay Packers running back Brandon Jackson can't wait to get on the field on Saturday against his former team.

On Ohio.com:

“I’ve been playing those guys in practice and little scrimmage games for four years now,” Jackson said Thursday at Browns training camp. “I know them pretty much inside and out, and I’m just trying to make the best of this opportunity to go out and play an old team.

“I’m pretty sure they’re gonna blitz a lot and [I’m] no stranger to that. I’m just gonna go out and have fun. It’s gonna be a great opportunity for me to show the head coach and everyone that I’m a great fit for this team.”

Jackson, writes Nate Ulrich for Ohio.com, is an ideal weapon for his West Coast offense.

“He had a major contribution for [the Packers] in a system which I feel he is a scheme fit … because a lot of their terminology is similar to [ours],” Shurmur said. “He was able to get in here and get up to speed. I love the way he practices. He finishes all his runs. Every time he touches the football, it’s an opportunity to score. You’ve all seen him. We all wish we looked that good. He’s a stocky and well-built guy. He’s a good pass protector, and I’m glad he’s here.”

Tough guy

We know that Clay Matthews, the son of the former Browns linebacker with the same name, is tough.  All he did last season was play the second half of the season on a broken leg.

Rob Demovsky of The Green Bay Press-Gazette writes how everyone knows Matthews missed all four preseason games last season with his second hamstring injury in as many training camps.

But few knew the Green Bay Packers’ star outside linebacker played the second half of the season with a stress fracture in his lower leg. That would explain why Matthews was listed on every injury report from Week 9 through the NFC championship game as probable with a shin injury. He wasn’t listed on the injury report prior to Super Bowl XLV.

“I don’t make a big deal of it,” Matthews said in a wide-ranging interview with the Green Bay Press-Gazette on Tuesday. “(It happened) some time in the middle of the season. You can’t do anything about it. I was just taking practices off and showing up on game day and giving it my all.”

  

Peyton Hillis

Cleveland Browns running back Peyton Hillis was the subject of several articles, including ">this training camp story by Terry Pluto on Cleveland.com. Here's a story on how Hillis gave fans the opportunity to make some cash.

"Brandon Jackson was a great pickup. I'm a Hardesty fan (based on potential, obviously), but it wouldn't be wise to go into the season expecting too much of him based on his injury history. Having Jackson share the touches helps minimize the punishment that comes with Hillis' running style. That said, Hardesty when healthy, is a dynamic runner, and I hope he comes in and takes carries away from Jackson. I just wouldn't count on it." - floridastatenoles

View full sizeMarvin Fong | The Plain DealerBrandon Jackson will likely help lighten the load for Peyton Hillis this season.

In response to the story Cleveland Browns rookie Buster Skrine quickly becoming a hit in training camp: Cleveland Browns Insider, cleveland.com reader floridastatenoles is happy the Browns picked up Brandon Jackson. This reader writes,

"Brandon Jackson was a great pickup. I'm a Hardesty fan (based on potential, obviously), but it wouldn't be wise to go into the season expecting too much of him based on his injury history. Having Jackson share the touches helps minimize the punishment that comes with Hillis' running style. That said, Hardesty when healthy, is a dynamic runner, and I hope he comes in and takes carries away from Jackson. I just wouldn't count on it."

"If they had brought Kipnis up when their slump started in early June, they'd have 4-5 more wins. Orlando Cabrera had some contributions during the early part of the season, but I can't even begin to count how many times he failed time and again in huge at bats in June and July. Others were failing as well, but Kipnis could have been contributing big time if brought up earlier to play 2B." - stlclevefan

View full sizeChuck Crow | The Plain DealerJason Kipnis has made an impact in his short time with the Indians.

In response to the story Detroit Tigers slip past Cleveland Indians, 4-3, cleveland.com reader stlclevefan wishes the Indians would have turned to Jason Kipnis earlier. This reader writes,

"If they had brought Kipnis up when their slump started in early June, they'd have 4-5 more wins. Orlando Cabrera had some contributions during the early part of the season, but I can't even begin to count how many times he failed time and again in huge at bats in June and July. Others were failing as well, but Kipnis could have been contributing big time if brought up earlier to play 2B."

Ohio State AD Gene Smith said a final decision from the NCAA is expected in 8 to 12 weeks. Watch video

After the group broke around 12:30 p.m., with former coach Jim Tressel leaving first with his lawyer, OSU athletic director Gene Smith read a statement. Smith did not take questions, but he did reveal that Ohio State is returning $338,811 it earned from its share of the Big Ten's Sugar Bowl payout.

Ohio State had previously vacated the 2010 season, and some had wondered why the Buckeyes kept the money earned from playing ineligible players during a Big Ten title season that led them to the Sugar Bowl. One OSU official referred to the money as "ill-gotten gains" in acknowledging that the return of the money fell in line with the decision to wipe out the season.

Smith said a decision from the NCAA is expected in eight to 12 weeks. That's a bit longer than the six-to-eight week estimate that Smith had been using previously. Ohio State hopes the committee doesn't add anything to Ohio State's penalties, which include vacating the season and two years of probation.

After the hearing, Ohio State also released a letter from July 13 that the NCAA enforcement staff had sent to the Committee on Infractions. It spelled out the continuing investigation and said one new allegation had been revealed. But that allegation was covered in Ohio State's previous response to the NCAA, which revealed one additional player involved in NCAA violations related to a tattoo parlor.

Smith said no Ohio State officials had received a copy of the letter. When an ESPN.com story this week mentioned the letter, Ohio State said it hadn't received a letter to that effect.

The news of the ongoing investigation isn't dire for Ohio State. It does show that today was not the end for the Buckeyes. If more allegations are proven, Ohio State was reminded that it could face a charge of lack of institutional control, a serious allegation the school very much wants to avoid.

Any new major revelations could lead to that, if the scope of the problems with players is shown to be larger than it is now. Smith said "the evidence at this time does not warrant additional allegations."

After the hearing Tressel did release a written statement. It included the following:

"Again, I would like to apologize to the Buckeye nation, most especially to the players, staff and fans who remain so dear to me."

Kosuke Fukudome slides over to center field, and Ezequiel Carrera goes to left field. Watch video

Mark Duncan, Associated PressShin-Soo Choo, right, was back in the Indians lineup on Friday night against the Twins.

"Carrera has played everywhere, and Fukudome never has played left field up here," Acta said. "Fukudome's a center fielder by nature and played some right field in Chicago. It would be unfair to throw him in left."

No surprise: Acta said the Indians likely will recall lefty David Huff from Columbus for a start Sunday against the Twins.

Pair of legends: Former Indians Bert Blyleven and Roberto Alomar, who were inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame this summer, threw out ceremonial first pitches before the game. Alomar threw to his brother, Indians first-base coach Sandy; Blyleven threw to Acta.

Happy Jack: Twins designated hitter Jim Thome, the Indians' all-time leader with 334 homers, has hit 20 against the Tribe -- 10 against lefties, 10 against righties. The breakdown: LHPs -- CC Sabathia (three), Jeremy Sowers (three), David Huff (two), Cliff Lee, Craig Breslow; RHPs -- Jake Westbrook (three), Jensen Lewis, Justin Germano, Fausto Carmona, Tomo Ohka, Paul Byrd, Guillermo Mota, Fernando Cabrera.

Stat of the day: Beginning Tuesday, the Indians will play 44 games over the regular season's final 44 days.

UPDATED: Matt LaPorta's bloop double with two outs in the eighth scores Carlos Santana as the Indians prevail, 3-2, at Progressive Field.

The Indians did not take enough -- but still managed to pull out a victory.

Matt LaPorta's bloop double with two outs in the eighth drove in Carlos Santana as the Tribe prevailed, 3-2, at Progressive Field.

The Indians scored twice in the eighth to notch their 28th comeback victory. They have won 19 times in their last-bat, including 14 at home.

The Tribe has outscored the opposition, 54-44, in the eighth inning, 56-44 in the ninth and 11-6 in extras.

"Keep people on their toes," right-hander Justin Masterson said. "Keep people coming. Why not?"

Masterson pitched superbly again, allowing the two runs on five hits in 7 2/3 innings. But he exited with another no-decision.

Masterson is 9-7 despite a 2.69 ERA in 26 appearances (25 starts). The Indians have scored three or fewer runs in 13 of his starts.

"I just pitch, I can't do anything else," he said. "My goal, my job, is to keep it close. I'm just happy we got the W."

The Indians (59-57) remained three games behind Detroit in the American League Central Division. The Detroit Tigers won in Baltimore.

Defending division champion Minnesota (52-66) has lost seven of eight.

Twins righty and former Indian Carl Pavano cruised into the sixth with a 1-0 advantage. By the time shortstop Tsuyoshi Nishioka was done booting balls, the Tribe had tied it.

Ezequiel Carrera led off with a bunt single to third. Shin-Soo Choo's hard, one-hop grounder toward short gobbled up Nishioka and kicked into shallow center. Carrera stopped at second on what was ruled a hit.

Jason Kipnis grounded to Nishioka, who fumbled the ball but recovered in time to force Carrera at third. After Asdrubal Cabrera grounded into a 3-6 fielder's choice, Travis Hafner dribbled a changeup past the mound. Nishioka kicked it, allowing the tying run to score.

In the top of the seventh, Twins second baseman Alexi Casilla tweaked his hamstring attempting to beat out a bunt. His replacement, Matt Tolbert, made multiple misplays in the bottom of the seventh but the Indians somehow failed to capitalize.

The Twins took a 2-1 lead in the eighth when Nishioka hit a two-out RBI single to right. It put runners on first and third. Indians manager Manny Acta hooked Masterson for lefty Rafael Perez, who retired Denard Span on a grounder.

Masterson pitched on two days' rest. His start Tuesday against Detroit had ended after two innings and 37 pitches because of a lengthy rain delay.

"It seemed to work out OK, whether it felt different or what, so we'll take it," Masterson said.

In the bottom of the eighth, Travis Hafner slapped a one-out single to left. Brantley pinch-ran. Twins manager Ron Gardenhire replaced Pavano with lefty Glen Perkins.

Carlos Santana, who entered the night hitting .300 against lefties and .207 against righties, smoked a double to right-center to drive in Brantley.

"When Carlos is going well, he uses the whole field," Acta said. "He's struggled from the left side because he's gotten pull-happy."

Santana advanced to third on a grounder and scored the game-winner when LaPorta dumped a Perkins pitch beyond Nishioka and barely out of the reach of diving left fielder Ben Revere.

LaPorta had been 1-for-25 against the Twins this season.

Chris Perez worked a perfect ninth for his 24th save.

"Tremendous pitching performance by both sides," Acta said. "Masterson was great again. He knows he can't control what our offense does. All he can control is that two- and four-seam fastball and go from there."

Choo finished 1-for-4 in his first major-league game since breaking his left thumb in late June.

"He swung the bat very well," Acta said. "I was surprised. He didn't look like he'd missed a beat."

Twins designated hitter Jim Thome, sitting on 598 homers, went 0-for-2 with a walk. He moved into eighth on the all-time walks list with 1,709.

Minnesota took a 1-0 lead in the third. Danny Valencia led off with a single and was forced at second by Revere. With Nishioka batting, Revere took off for second. Tribe catcher Santana received a good ball to throw but airmailed it into center, Revere sprinting to third.

Nishioka slapped an RBI single to left.

During early batting practice, Twins outfielder Michael Cuddyer felt a pain in his neck and was scratched.

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